VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations might be ‘last chance to thank veterans’

TV presenter and actor Ross Kemp and Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes launched the memorial programme at a London school.

Primary school children greet Ross Kemp and Dame Kelly Holmes surrounded by bunting and Union flags — Primary school children greet Ross Kemp and Dame Kelly Holmes to launch VE Day 80 at Hermitage Primary School in London (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

People are being urged to host celebrations for the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day in what might be “our last chance to thank surviving veterans”.

May 8 marks the date in 1945 when the Allies accepted Germany’s surrender in the Second World War, ending almost six years of conflict in Europe.

Community celebrations will be led by the Together Coalition, a group of businesses and individuals, as part of the UK Government’s national programme to commemorate the 80th anniversaries of both VE Day in May and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day on August 15.

Dame Kelly Holmes and Ross Kemp sit with pupils at the school surrounded by food — Ross Kemp and Dame Kelly Holmes at the buffet brunch to launch VE Day 80 (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Events will include the Great British Food Festival on May 5, when street parties, picnics and barbecues will take place across the country on the Monday bank holiday, reflecting the celebrations that broke out across the nation 80 years ago.

There will also be a VE Day Schools Challenge, where the Together Coalition and the Royal British Legion are asking pupils to learn about the significance of the anniversary.

Ross Kemp shares a buffet with children — Ross Kemp said it may be the last chance to mark the anniversary with surviving veterans (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Launching the countdown, TV presenter and actor Ross Kemp and Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes visited Hermitage Primary School in Tower Hamlets, east London, where they shared food with the pupils and talked about the values that helped communities contribute to the war victory.

EastEnders star Kemp said: “VE Day marks a major moment in our history – when Britain helped defeat the forces of fascism and protect our democracy.

Dame Kelly Holmes shares out a tray of samosas at the launch — Dame Kelly Holmes said VE Day 80 would remind everyone of the freedoms we sometimes take for granted (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

“Taking part is an opportunity for us all to honour those who sacrificed so much, to reconnect with our neighbours and communities, and to remember the values that underpinned the victory.

“They matter as much today as they did then.

“This might be our last chance to thank the surviving veterans – so we should celebrate them in style.”

Ross Kemp and Dame Kelly Holmes speak to schoolchildren waving Union flags — Ross Kemp and Dame Kelly Holmes were at a buffet brunch to launch the celebrations at Hermitage Primary School in London (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Dame Kelly said: “Moments like this matter, they bring us together as a country and remind us of the freedoms we sometimes take for granted.

“They also give us an opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to the victory from the UK and across the Commonwealth.”