BRITISH LOTTERY funds are to be used to pay for Irish veterans of the second World War to go on trips as far afield as Singapore and India to visit their former battle sites.
The Big Lottery Fund, the largest distributor of British National Lottery money, is providing money under the Heroes Return programme, which provides funding for travel and accommodation for veterans, spouses, widows and carers wishing to mark overseas anniversaries throughout 2009 and 2010.
The scheme, which is available to all who served in the British army, is being administered through the Royal British Legion and Irish veterans can contact Royal British Legion in Dublin to access the programme.
The Heroes Return scheme was first run in 2004 ahead of the 60th anniversary of the end of the war.
Twenty-nine veterans living in the State and 94 in Northern Ireland used the funds to attend commemorations. They travelled to Normandy, Italy, Singapore and India. Almost £17 million was made available for anniversary visits in 2004 and 2005.
Pam Roche, county manager of the Royal British Legion in Dublin said the funding was a recognition of the sacrifice made by Irish veterans of the second World War.
“We warmly welcome the decision to again include Irish veterans in the Heroes Return programme,” she said.
“It is a fitting tribute to Irish men and women who volunteered their service to the Armed Forces in WWII and who now wish to join with their comrades-in-arms to return to their theatre of action,” said Ms Roche.
