Last year, the nation came together in one of the most challenging times in recent memory to celebrate VE Day. It was a truly remarkable event that saw many of us emerge from our homes for the first time since lockdown started to remember and celebrate the achievements of a generation.

With the current COVID restrictions easing, can we better it this year for VE Day 2021?

To help get the street parties started, the veterans at RBLI have been working on a range of special edition items to roll out across the country.

Being made or fulfilled by veterans at Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, proceeds from every sale of the VE Day 2021 products go towards supporting vulnerable veterans and people with disabilities.

Last year, the public’s tenacity for VE Day ensured RBLI’s veteran workforce was provided with secure employment during the most uncertain time the charity has ever seen.

This year, it is just as important as ever that the Nation rallies behind our heroes to ensure that a remarkable generation is remembered, and our current veterans are looked after.

Former Royal Marine, 89-year old George Bradford, who lives in RBLI’s assisted living accommodation vividly remembers the activities of VE Day in 1945:

“VE Day itself… It was sunny. Everyone was celebrating and we were all going in and out of everybody’s houses. There were balloons and union flags everywhere. I think they even started street parties. We didn’t have all that many cakes but there were a few. Not a lot as there was still rationing. Everybody was out in the street. Nobody made you go to bed – not on that day.”

This year, RBLI are planning the biggest event in our charity’s more than 100 year history.

We want to make sure that the needs and situations of our country’s military veterans are reflected in this nationally significant work.

If you are a military veteran, no matter how long you served, please fill out this simple and quick survey to help us better understand those we support on a daily basis.

From all of us at RBLI, we hope that you enjoy VE Day 2021. Celebrate and share your fun and pictures with us on social media; our veterans would love to see the nation joining them in celebrating and commemorating a remarkable generation.