With last Sunday marking the 65th anniversary of VJ Day, I'd like to remind Second World War veterans and their widows they can still apply for a Big Lottery Fund grant to make commemorative trips back to places across the world where they served.

I want to ensure as many people as possible take advantage of the Heroes Return 2 scheme before it closes on January 31, 2011, with trips having to be made by the end of 2010. The Lottery grants are available for travel and accommodation costs for veterans or their widows, along with spouses and a carer.

So far the scheme has been a great success. To date, more than £420,000 has been awarded across the East Midlands, allowing 719 people to go on the commemorative trips. Veterans have used the grants to return to places including Italy, France, Greece, Holland, Germany, USA, the Far East and Australia, as well as to make trips within the UK.

Details about the scheme are available on 0845 00 00 121 or by visiting:

www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/ heroesreturn

Sir Clive Booth, chair of the Big Lottery Fund.