Great response to VE & VJ Day Celebration fund
40 applications have been made for funding community events across the borough to celebrate VE (“Victory in Europe”) Day and VJ (“Victory over Japan) Day
Telford & Wrekin Council has made £20,000 available to support communities to host their own events and activities for VE and VJ Day, to mark 75 years since the end of World War II
In total, the value of the applications that have come in is just over £28,000, more than the funding available.
This funding is part of the newly launched Telford 2020 fund that will support grassroots projects for the benefit of our community and help celebrate important occasions in the borough.
Many events and activities will take place during Bank Holiday weekend, 8 – 10 May (for VE Day) and on 15 August (for VJ Day).
Earlier in the year, the VE & VJ Day Celebration Fund was opened to community/voluntary groups, neighbourhood groups, faith groups, charities, other not for profit organisations, Town or Parish Councils, schools, businesses or individuals to apply for.
They could apply for up to £1,000 towards their event (for VE and/or VJ Day).
To be eligible for funding, the Council asked that the events must be dedicated to bringing people in the community together to celebrate history and those who fought in World War II.
These could be done through a range of activities, such as promoting local wartime stories and heroes, exploring wartime elements (clothes, music, games, food) and others.
Applicants for the grants were also asked to provide 50% cash match funding to contribute towards their events, with the total estimated to be worth over £38,000
This shows how committed communities are to mark VE and VJ Day in the borough with a range of different activities.
The bids also showed how important volunteering will be for the success of VE and VJ Day events, as the events would need support from almost 800 volunteers.
All applicants will be announced of the outcome of their application by Friday 6 March, 2020.
Council Leader Shaun Davies said: “We’ve had a great response to this funding grant, with lots of community groups dedicated to do what they can to remember those who fought in World War Two and mark as such, the 75th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day.
“We want to thank everyone for their involvement and ideas submitted as this will help bring communities together to mark this historic occasion all across the borough.”
To keep-up-to date with the results of the applications for VE & VJ Celebration Fund and the events taking place, visit www.telford.gov.uk/VEVJ or follow the Council’s Facebook and Twitter account.
