Last wish fund for WW2 heroes smashes £100K target to ensure dreams come true

Second World War heroes will see their dreams come true after a fundraiser smashed its £100,000 target.

Cash pledged by grateful Britons will pay for once-in-a-lifetime experiences for a dwindling band of brothers and sisters from the greatest generation.

Our Heroes Fund was the idea of businessman Johnny Gallagher and his wartime heroine best friend Dorothea Barron, 100.

It was set up after the Government initially refused to pay for annual battlefield pilgrimages.

But after vets forced ministers into a humiliating u-turn the fund kept ticking over and will now be used to help warriors fulfil their last wishes.

Johnny, 30, chipped in £20,000 with the rest generously donated by the great British public.

He said: "Our fundraiser has hit £100,000 which will make veterans' dreams come true. Having donations from such amazing people across the country is so important and we are so grateful for everything received.

"I am currently organising a surprise Spitfire flight for a 100-year-old veteran who thinks he will never do it because he does not have the funds.

"I hope this inspires more people from my generation to take an interest as it is very important for our nation to remember the freedom we enjoy was not delivered for free.

"I want my generation to understand and respect what these incredible men and women did for us. Their sacrifices secured our freedom - the least we can do is listen, learn and support them - however we can."

The money raised by Johnny and Dorothea will be passed to the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, which is funded entirely by donations.

The intergenerational duo helped raise more than £150,000 for to fund veterans' return to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day last year. It means they have now raised more than £250,000 for the charity.

Their efforts ensured Dorothea and chums including Les Hammond, Doug Baldwin, Don Turrell and Mervyn Kersh were able to pay their respects on the beaches where giants fell in 1944.

Next week volunteer cabbies are taking 25 heroes back to France to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the Normandy Invasion.

Johnny, one of the UK's most successful young entrepreneurs, struck up a remarkable friendship with Dorothea, who joined the Women's Royal Naval Service in 1943 at the age of 18, and helped her fulfil her dream of flying a Spitfire in an emotional tribute to her late husband who served in Bomber Command.

Johnny's great grandfather Frank Guyll fought at the Battle of Somme in the First World War aged 20. His brother Stanley died fighting alongside him aged just 21. His grandfather Ernie Clark served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in Korea and Malaya.

He said: "I was lucky my role model was my veteran grandfather, but not looking after or celebrating our heroes has been detrimental to society. The youth of today are searching for role models and nearly half of all young adults do not know what D-Day was. Little wins like this can help unite our once great country."

It is thought fewer than 200 British Second World War veterans are still alive, including just a handful who saw action on D-Day, and the three-month Battle of Normandy that followed.

The money will now ensure they are not forgotten in the twilight of their years.

Marie Scott, who was just 17 on D-Day and working in a top secret underground bunker passing coded messages from military commanders to soldiers landing on the beaches, said: "I can honestly say the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans has totally changed my life and over the years have given me so many wonderful experiences. I will be forever grateful to them for enriching my life so splendidly."

The Government sparked nationwide anger after reneging on a promise to pay for all costs associated with veterans' trips to European commemorations, including the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Nazi-occupied Holland earlier this month and the 81st anniversary of the D-Day invasion on June 6.

Number 10 initially said money would be forthcoming, only for that to be contradicted by the Department for Culture Media and Sport, which said funding is not provided for overseas events.

The disgust prompted a hasty about-turn and a promise that all bed, board and associated costs would be paid in full to ensure veterans and their carers can travel to events this summer.

London cabbie Colin Mills, Chairman of the Taxi Charity, said: "Veterans themselves still regularly collect donations in London Underground stations - a reality that raises a troubling question: how can it be right that those who served this country so bravely are left to fund their own commemorations? These heroes deserve unwavering support. That should never be in question."

In a message to wartime heroes one anonymous donor who pledged £20 said: "Without all of your sacrifices we wouldn't be here today. Thank you, you deserve every penny."

Another who gave £50 said: "We all owe you so much. I just wish I could give more."

Entrepreneur Johnny Gallagher may be decades younger than the veterans he champions, but his passion for honouring their service is unwavering.

His mission began in earnest last year when Johnny launched his first big fundraising campaign, and then earlier this year when he launched the Our Heroes Fund.

This year Johnny and his oldest best friend 100-year-old Dorothea Barron are fundraising to support the Taxi Charity's efforts to take veterans on key commemorative trips.

In addition to these poignant pilgrimages, the fund will also help the charity fulfil individual veteran's wishes, ensuring each hero is honoured in a personal and meaningful way. The first is a special journey in August to Scotland, where a small group of veterans will revisit locations that hold powerful wartime memories.

Johnny's first fundraiser was launched in 2024 to give Second World War veterans the opportunity to return to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day and was a resounding success, raising enough for veterans, carers, companions, drivers and volunteers to return, giving the charity much needed funding for other events, and also to grant a very special experience for Dorothea's 100 birthday - a flight in a Spitfire - fulfilling a lifelong dream.

What sets this initiative apart isn't just the incredible amount raised; it's the bridge being built between generations.

Through social media, networking, press and public speaking, Johnny is spreading the message that remembering our veterans isn't just for Remembrance Day - it's an ongoing act of respect, gratitude and education.

For more than 75 years, the Taxi Charity has been proudly led by volunteer London cab drivers, providing friendship, transport and support to veterans from the Second World War and beyond.

These fundraising efforts are vital to continuing that work, not just through large commemorative events, but also through everyday acts of kindness, camaraderie and remembrance.

We are enormously grateful to Johnny, Dorothea and everyone who has donated. Your generosity is helping us deliver unforgettable experiences, honour last wishes, and ensure that veterans know they are never forgotten.

Dick Goodwin is Vice President of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans