A host of big-hearted Midlands companies have provided their services for free to help honour a party of WWII veterans at a special commemorative event. 

The US veterans – the youngest of whom is 96 years old – are returning to the beaches of northern France as part of events to mark the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. 

Global aviation leader Aviramp is donating a step-free boarding ramp so that the veterans can get off their chartered flight safely and comfortably – and its supply chain has backed the gesture by donating many of the parts for free. 

Companies which have supplied free equipment to Telford-based Aviramp include: 

• Wrekin Steel, of Hortonwood in Telford, who donated steel for the ramp’s chassis. 

• Ehrco UK Ltd, of Dudley, who donated the hydraulic hoses used on the ramp. 

• Tec-Stop, of Worcester, who supplied the electrical wiring looms and control boxes free of charge. 

• HTL Fluidpower Group, of Ludlow, who donated hydraulic components used on the ramp. 

Aviramp chief executive and founder Graham Corfield said he was ‘absolutely blown away’ by the support the company had received from its suppliers.  

“I always knew we worked with some of the best suppliers in the business, but this has underlined just how fabulous our partners are. 

“I’m absolutely blown away by the generosity they have shown and the way they have risen to the challenge of supporting us in honouring some of the few remaining D-Day veterans. 

“I cannot thank each of these companies enough. What they have done will help make this wonderful commemorative event even more special.”  

Aviramp has teamed up with Delta Air Lines, Michelin and the US charity Best Defense Foundation to help bring the party of veterans from the United States to northern France for this year’s D-Day commemorations. 

The special step-free ramp Aviramp is building will be donated to Deauville Airport in Normandy, for as long as it is needed. 

Its unique, gentle slope and non-slip surface means the veterans will be able to get on and off their chartered flight as comfortably and safely as possible.  

Aviramp is the global leader in step-free ramps, with more than 750 now in use at airports around the world. 

The commemorative event will bring together American World War II heroes and students on an emotional journey to Normandy’s beaches, preserving first-hand accounts of WWII and D-Day while creating educational experiences for young people who will carry these stories forward. 

Best Defense Foundation is a charity set up by former US football star, linebacker Donnie Edwards and his wife, Kathryn Edwards. 

Delta will host a nonstop charter flight directly from Atlanta to Deauville Airport on May 31, arriving in Deauville on June 1 and returning to Atlanta on June 9. This will mark only the fourth time a US passenger airline will fly directly to Normandy, with the other three being the Delta charter flights from 2022-2024.