Help keep the story of D-Day alive this anniversary year

Sponsoring The D-Day Story's education programme will help more young people discover the human stories behind one of the most significant events of the Second World War.

The D-Day Story's education programme gives school pupils the chance to engage with this history in a meaningful way through a visit to the museum and facilitated Second World War workshops. Sponsorship can help remove barriers to access and ensure more children can take part by paying for travel and entry to the museum.

Portsmouth and Hampshire played a vital role in the preparations for the Normandy landings, and that local connection makes this history especially powerful for schools and communities across the county. By supporting the education programme, sponsors can help young people understand not only what happened on 6 June 1944, but also the immense planning, movement and human effort that took place here before the landings began.

Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council said:

"As we approach the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, it's vital we keep these stories alive. Portsmouth played a central role in the events of 6 June 1944, and the D-Day Story's education programme helps young people understand that local connection and why it still matters today. By supporting it, sponsors can remove barriers so more children can visit, learn and reflect on the extraordinary efforts and sacrifices of that generation."

This message is reinforced by Hampshire's Hidden D-Day Project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, it is exploring the marshalling camps hidden across the Hampshire countryside, where thousands of troops waited before embarking for Normandy.

The project is surveying surviving sites, adding findings to local Historic Environment Records, tracing troop movements to embarkation points, and working with volunteers, schools and community groups. With 23 marshalling camp surveys already completed and volunteers working on war diaries at the National Archives in London.

The project has been supported by Chris Barrington-Brown, University of Winchester, ALABARÉ, Veteran Outreach Support, Forestry England, YMCA and Southampton City Council.

Support for the education programme will help ensure these stories are not lost, and will inspire the next generation to understand the legacy of D-Day.

For more information on how to contribute to the sponsored programme email [email protected]

For Hampshire's Hidden D-Day project visit https://theddaystory.com/hampshires-hidden-d-day-project/