The Monte San Martino Trust was founded in 1989 by J. Keith Killby, a former prisoner of war in Italy, together with other veterans of the second world war. The Trust awards English language study bursaries to Italians, aged 18 to 25, in recognition of the courage and generosity of the Italian people who aided thousands of escaping Allied PoWs after the Armistice in 1943.

The Trust relies on donations to fund these bursaries, and is currently running a £1m Appeal to secure their long-term funding. (Click on Fundraising in the Contents panel to find out more, or on the banner below to support the Appeal). 

The Trust also supports walks along Freedom Trails in Italy to commemorate the escapes by PoWs and the risks taken by the country people who gave them food and shelter.