It's one week today until the nation unites to celebrate VE Day 80 - the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day on 8th May 1945.
The day marked the surrender of Nazi Germany and Allied Victory in Europe, and millions of Britons gathered in streets across the country to sing, dance, and rejoice after six years of war. Families gathered around their radios to hear Winston Churchill address the nation. Throngs of people snaked around Trafalgar Square in a conga line. Some even climbed on Nelson’s Column and paddled joyfully in the fountains.
This VE Day, The Not Forgotten is involved in a whole variety of events, initiatives and commemorations to mark the momentous anniversary - the last major anniversary for which the special few remaining veterans who served in that conflict are still with us to share their memories, before passing the baton on to the generations of military and veterans following in their footsteps.
Service of Commemoration at Westminster Abbey - we are taking a group of World War Two veterans to attend a special service of shared remembrance and celebration at Westminster Abbey, attended by His Majesty the King and the Royal Family. This will be broadcast live on BBC One from 10.45am.
Not Forgotten VE Day party at HMS Collingwood - over 100 of our veteran and serving beneficiaries are gathering for afternoon tea, music from Annie Riley and Lloyd Ellery and joyful celebrations in the lovely surroundings of the grounds of HMS Collingwood in Hampshire.
#VEHappy - We are supporting a nationwide initiative to build a 'living mosaic' online made up of photos submitted by people all over the world posing with Winston Churchill's iconic V for Victory sign - find out more and take part HERE.
VE 80 Concert: A Celebration to Remember - Horseguards Parade We are honoured to be able to take some of our beneficiaries to the BBC's spectacular live concert of music, storytelling, and tributes on Horseguards Parade on the evening of VE Day. The concert will be broadcast on BBC1, 8-10pm.
Look out for Matt Goss performing his Not Forgotten single on the BBC One Show VE Day special on Monday 5th May, 7pm! He will also be on Good Morning Britain talking about The Not Forgotten with 100-year-old WW2 Wren Dorothea Barron on the morning of VE Day itself (8 May). You should also spot inspirational WW2 RAF bomber pilot Harry on ITV's This Morning on Monday 5th.
Partnership with Poppies Fish and Chips During the whole month of May, the amazing Poppies (who have four London restaurants serving extremely tasty fish and chips) are promoting our work and donating all proceeds from the sales of their takeaway favourite ‘Fish Bites & Chips’ to The Not Forgotten. FIND OUT MORE
HMS Wellington VE Day Experience Another group of TNF beneficiaries are spending the afternoon of VE Day aboard HMS Wellington at Victoria Embankment, London, for a fabulous party with screening of newsreels, a sumptuous afternoon tea, exploring the ship and live entertainment from a 1940’s revival band.
Don't forget to download and stream the utterly beautiful song 'Not Forgotten' released by Matt Goss in commemoration of VE Day, with all proceeds coming to The Not Forgotten - STREAM IT HERE
You can also get your own community, choir or band singing or playing the song to win an exclusive performance opportunity - find out more and access the musical score HERE.
An opportunity to remember and support our veterans
In the midst of all the celebrations next week we must remember that for many, VE Day was bittersweet. A time of sorrow, as well as joy. Some raised a glass in remembrance of fallen loved ones. Others, just home from battle, learnt to silently navigate wounds, both visible and hidden. Troops celebrated, uncertain if they may be redeployed to where the fighting continued in the Far East. Thousands of people had nowhere to live, as their homes had been bombed and reduced to rubble.
Eighty years later, many of today’s Armed Forces community find life after service equally challenging. For many, the war may be over, but their battles continue for life. Some live with injuries sustained in service. Others feel isolated from society or suffer the mental scars of unimaginable terrors. And some who worked alongside our troops have been forced to flee war-torn countries and are now searching for a place to call home.
This VE Day, will you help commemorate our veterans of yesterday and support our Armed Forces community today with your own fundraiser for The Not Forgotten?
Are you hosting an afternoon tea, street or garden party? Are you taking on a challenge? Or simply sharing a moment of silence? Have you considered using your event or commemoration to raise money to help support our remaining WW2 veterans, and those injured and isolated by their service in countless conflicts since?
Have a donation box at your VE Day street party, or set up a JustGiving page for donations or sponsorship. However you choose to fundraise, your support can help today’s veterans find the peace they deserve.
SOME IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED!
Just a few ideas you could tie into your street party or celebrations over the bank holiday weekend and throughout the week of celebrations...
A good old sing song – share music lyrics with friends, or sing along to a karaoke in the pub.
1940’s quiz – a no brainer way to have fun! Ask everyone to pay to enter and give a prize to the winners. How about a tin of spam for the losers for a bit of fun?
Best dressed – Hold a fancy dress themed competition in your pub or best decorated houses in your street. Ask everyone to pay to enter and give a little prize.
Tea for Two (or a few more!) - Host a 1940s-themed tea party and invite your friends, family and neighbours.
80 for 80 challenge - walk 80 laps of your village, skip, juggle or press ups for 80 mins. Do something you enjoy with an 80 for 80 theme.
Knit and natter – or any other crafting that you enjoy. Spend time reflecting or crafting in honour of veterans past and present and share your creations online to raise funds.
What your money will do this VE Day
Raise £50 and you will pay for an isolated veteran to attend one of our Drive-In concerts, where they can reconnect and socialise in a safe place at their own place.
Raise £100 and you will give a veteran confined to their home a digital device to connect to the world and access their emotional support network online.
Raise £500 and you will fund a veteran to take part in a challenge event such as cycling, hiking or canoeing, giving them a focus and restoring their self-belief in themselves and their abilities.
Raise £5,000 and you'll fund a respite break enabling 10 veterans and 10 partners/carers to escape their day-to-day challenges, reconnect with others and rebuild their confidence.
GET STARTED WITH JUSTGIVING
If you’re looking for friends, family and colleagues to sponsor you, setting up an online giving page is the quickest way to get started. Simply head to The Not Forgotten - JustGiving and hit the ‘fundraise for us’ button.
You’ll have your own page in no time, ready to be personalised. Share far and wide on social media or direct via text message. The more people you tell about your page, the more likely you are to generate some amazing sponsorship.
PAYING IN YOUR DONATIONS
Alternatively, you can pay online or by post .
Your support means more than ever to our veterans. Thank you for supporting The Not Forgotten.
