How to get involved with Commonwealth War Graves in 2023

With an exciting new year upon us, we look at how you can engage with the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation and Commission over the coming months.

Supporting Commonwealth War Graves

Volunteering opportunities

Keep your eyes peeled for more volunteering opportunities across Commonwealth War Graves.

From tour guides around the Commission’s UK war cemeteries and memorials to volunteer speakers helping us keep the stories of the war dead alive, there are many ways to get involved.

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, learn new skills, and share your love of history. There are many great health and well-being benefits too, such as improved mental health.

One of our flagship projects is Eyes On, Hands On (EOHO). This volunteer-led project helps us look after the UK’s 160,000 CWGC headstones.

EOHO volunteers become our eyes and ears on the ground. They go into cemeteries local to them, inspect headstones, and pass on any headstone care alerts and info to the Commission’s maintenance teams.

With over 13,000 locations in the UK, the Commission’s teams can’t always be everywhere. But with the help of our Eyes On, Hands On volunteers, caring for the Commonwealth’s UK war graves is easier.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Commission, please visit the Volunteer page for the latest opportunities.

Come to an event – or visit the Foundation team at one!

Last year, the Foundation team organised several fantastic events, both physical and virtual. We’re looking forward to putting on many more in 2023!

Two of our favourite events from 2022 were our Evening at Brookwood and Commemorations and Christmas carol service.

An Evening at Brookwood welcomed 400 history lovers to Brookwood Military Cemetery in late May 2022. They were treated to a uniquely moving evening of commemorative music.

Musical acts included the award-winning folk trio Harp & A Monkey, supremely talented performers from the Purcell School for Young Musicians, and more.

It was a fantastic evening and one we’re hoping to replicate again this year.

Then at Christmas, we organised a spectacular yet intimate remembrance carol service Commemorations at Christmas.

Special guests, including million-selling author Michael Morpurgo and world-renowned singer and actress Barbara Dickson OBE, delivered touching readings and songs. It was a very special night at the Guards’ Chapel, London, and we can’t wait to do it again this year.

Keep on the lookout for our virtual walking events too! These are a great way to get out and about while helping support us.

2022’s Walking our War Graves: Normandy challenged participants to cover a 95km virtual route tracing the progress of the Allies following the 1944 D-Day landings.

Running, walking, cycling, and swimming, those virtual challengers raised almost £10,000 for the Foundation.

Visit our Events page to see what’s on. The page is regularly updated so keep coming back to avoid missing out on 2023 CWGF events.

We’ll also be making our presence known at external events up and down the country too!

Keep an eye out for our familiar yellow tent, or the forest green of the Commission, at events like Chalke Valley History Festival, Duxford Battle of Britain Day, and Scarborough Armed Forces Day. Don’t forget to stop by for a chat!

Make a donation to the CWGF

The simplest and quickest way to get involved with the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation and to support our work is to make a donation.

There are plenty of ways you can quickly, and securely contribute to the CWGF:

• By cheque
• By bank transfer
• By text

All your donations go directly towards the Foundation’s operations.  We rely on your generosity to keep going. With your help, we can ensure the memories and stories of our war dead alive so they are never forgotten.

You can also support us when you shop via Amazon Smile and easyfundraising. Sign up on the Amazon Smile or easyfundraising websites to donate when you spend at no additional cost to you!

Visit the donation page for more information.

Join the Foundation with a CWGF Membership

For just £36 a year, or £3 a month, you can become a Commonwealth War Graves Foundation member.

Our members are the lifeblood of the Foundation. Their generosity and support ensure we can keep up with our core mission: keeping the memories of the World War’s fallen alive for future generations.

But what do you get as a member? As well as the knowledge you’re supporting such a great cause, you can enjoy:

• Early access to our brilliant events
• A yearly impact report detailing our projects so you can really measure the effects your donations and support have on our work
• Your quarterly subscription to the Foundation Chronicle: our magazine detailing events, more Foundation insights, and interesting snippets of World War history.
• A regular newsletter keeping you up to date with all the latest CWGF news

However you support the CWGF, thank you from the Foundation team

Your support means the world to everyone here at the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation.

We can’t wait to share more details of our 2023 plans with you. Make sure you come back for more information on our exciting year to come.

Until then, thank you to all our supporters new and old. We cannot do what we do without you.