D-Day reunion saved for veterans of 1944
Veterans of D-Day from the Black Country are to make an emotional return to Normandy to mark the 65th anniversary of the historic beach landings by Allied troops.
Veterans of D-Day from the Black Country are to make an emotional return to Normandy to mark the 65th anniversary of the historic beach landings by Allied troops.
Campaigners in Sandwell will be raising funds for the trip which could see around 20 ex-servicemen return to the beaches in northern France. Medals will also be collected on behalf of those too frail to travel. It had originally been feared a lack of funding from the Government might prevent many of the heroic pensioners from being able to take part.
Cash is now being being put up by the National Lottery.
Hilary Brown, extended schools co-ordinator at Alexandra High School, in Tipton, has now booked a coach and accommodation to take veterans to the service on June 6.
She has also offered to complete applications to the Big Lottery Fund for cash to pay for the trip on behalf of any World War II veterans in the Black Country and will also register veterans for a commemorative medal with the Normandy Council.
British participation in this year's anniversary celebrations had been thrown into doubt when the Ministry of Defence said it would not be funding veterans' travel expenses.
The Big Lottery Fund has now announced its Heroes Return 2 campaign, which will provide money to D-Day and other World War II ex-servicemen to participate.
The Government has also said it will offer assistance.
Full details of the level of Lottery funding available will be released later this week.
Mrs Brown said she wanted to hear from as many veterans as possible to fill up the coach trip to Normandy.
The coach leaves the school on Friday, June 5, for the commemoration on June 6 and returns to Tipton on June 7.
"If anybody locally is interested and wants to be a part of the trip and wants me to register on their behalf then I will do so," she said.
"We've already got five who I am sure will come, but I can think of about 20 who were involved with the D-Day landings who are associated with the school.
"We will do fundraising if we need to make up a shortfall and we will make it happen," Mrs Brown added.
l Any veterans interested can contact Mrs Brown at Alexandra High School on 0121 522 5738.
