An emotional plea to honour our heroes has come from 100-year-old WW2 veteran Dorothea Gallagher, who travels overseas to remember the history of the war.
The "Our Heroes Fund" has been established by businessman Johnny Gallagher and the 100-year-old Second World War veteran.
It comes after earlier this week, the Department for Culture Media and Sport suggested no funding would be available for overseas events putting the annual VE-Day celebrations at risk.
Veterans minister Alistair Carns later clarified that "the Government will work with veterans' charities" to ensure attendance.
Dorothea Gallagher made the heartfelt plea on GB News
GB News
Speaking to Patrick Christys on GB News, Dorothea Gallagher said she feels "forgotten" and revealed the importance of attending the commemorative events.
She said: "We were forgotten. After the war, it was a question of keep your uniform here, a few clothing coupons, home you go. And they barely bothered to say goodbye.
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"It was heartbreaking to have given up our youth so willingly for our country and to come home and be treated as 'we don't need you anymore'."
She added: "It sounds silly still to be affected by it. But one is for the rest of one's life.
"You always miss the friends, particularly. And relations whom you lost during the war. It never goes away."
"The support we get from everybody, and particularly from the London taxi drivers, they are marvellous. They are so generous," she said.
The taxi charity is currently taking 25 veterans to Holland for the 80th anniversary of Dutch liberation on May 5.
The Spirit of Normandy Trust is also transporting seven veterans back to Normandy for D-Day commemorations.
The new fund will support veterans attending events both abroad and in the UK throughout the year and aims to raise £1million.
The D-Day event takes place in Normandy every year
PAAt 100 years old, Dorothea recently fulfilled her dream of flying in a Spitfire, an experience she described as "fantastic and exciting."
When asked for advice to younger generations, she offered powerful words: "Just go at it. Don't give up. Always tomorrow's going to be better and really enjoy life."
She concluded with a passionate anti-war message: "May I say how stupid war is? When will men ever learn? Nobody wins the war. Everybody loses."
