The Warwick Family
SSAFA's short breaks for families at the Calvert Trust Exmoor gave the Warwicks a "life-changing" holiday.
Our stories
Meet the SSAFA family
Our stories
Discover the inspiring real-life stories of the service men and women, Armed Forces veterans and military families SSAFA has helped get back on their feet when they are in need.
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Mark Cowell
Air Trooper Mark was supported by SSAFA when his new wife was diagnosed with cancer. Now he helps others as a SSAFA volunteer.
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The Wheeler Family
RAF Family whose support worker helped them access funding for their special needs.
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Tracy Worsnop
Royal Logistics Corp veteran Tracy credits SSAFA mentor Lesley with turning her life around
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Stuart Burton
Gulf War veteran Stuart credits a SSAFA teddy bear with saving his life
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Lawrence "Ash" Ashbridge
Ash volunteers as a Caseworker and Publicity officer for SSAFA Hampshire
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Sally & Zoe
British Army nurse Zoe & partner Sally adopted three brothers with SSAFA
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Simon & Rob
SSAFA mentor Rob is helping former RAF officer Simon with the transition to civilian life
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Grant Evatt
When SSAFA helped this former soldier, he promised he would one day give something back
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Prince Nyimini
After being medically discharged, this veteran faced an uncertain future
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Sid Sallis
SSAFA helped this WWII veteran with care home costs
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Ken Taylor
Describes his SSAFA caseworker as a "guardian angel"
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Nigel
With SSAFA's support, Nigel is overcoming his combat-related mental health challenges
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Joseph Connor
WWII veteran continues to live independently with help from SSAFA
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Chris Amos
Running the Marathon for us after SSAFA helped him adopt
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John & Scott
This Royal Navy couple adopted two brothers with SSAFA
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Ciara & Ben Zissman
Ciara's husband Ben was paralysed in a roadside blast in Afghanistan
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(Major) Bernie Broad
(Major) Bernie Broad was blown up in an IED explosion in Afghanistan
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Tom Fox
A former rifleman diagnosed with PTSD, Tom now helps others
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Rachel Williamson
Former RAF medic is now competing in the Invictus Games
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Carra Redford
Royal Navy veteran with a new lease of life
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Lauren McLeish
Military dependant & recent graduate
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Chandra
SSAFA helped British Army veteran Chandra get back on his feet following a tough patch. He is now a SSAFA caseworker himself, helping the local Gurkha community.
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Walter Richardson
Injured in Afghanistan and medically discharged
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Mark McDonald
Army veteran, student & foster dad
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Christian Dobson
Christian reached out to SSAFA for financial support and guidance after leaving the Navy
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Ben Norfolk
RAF engineer Ben faced an abrupt end to his military career when he was diagnosed with PTSD
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Mark Smith
SSAFA's support for Mark & his family inspired him to volunteer
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Su Paine
Inspirational SSAFA Somerset fundraiser
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Nora Hill
SSAFA Volunteer during WW2
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Gemma and Louise
This serving RAF couple adopted their daughter through SSAFA
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Sarah Boyland
Took on London Marathon for SSAFA
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Chris Ankerson
SSAFA volunteer and wife of Gulf War veteran
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Des Curtis
RAF veteran befriends German captain whose U-boat he sank
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Steve Athawes
Walked 1,168 miles - the length of the UK - for SSAFA
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Gary Hall
Organised his own music festival
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Mike Tierney
Rowed across the North Sea to Holland
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Kathy Munslow
Novice cyclist took on a 168-mile bike ride
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Malcolm Pratt
Volunteer at SSAFA Solihull & Birmingham Division for more than 14 years
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Tony Jackson
Volunteer caseworker with SSAFA's Sussex Branch for 14 years
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Graham Fowler
Former Guardsman and SSAFA beneficiary now gives back by volunteering with us
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David Jones
Diagnosed with PTSD, David has struggled with transition to civvy life
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Harry Garrett
SSAFA assisted Dunkirk veteran Harry in getting a mobility scooter
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Mark Anthony Smith
Mark faces constant pain and is almost housebound
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Mandy and Jamie Small
Mandy's husband took his life after leaving the Army
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Craig Mealing
Found an escape through pottery after struggling to adjust to civilian life
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Lee
With support from his SSAFA mentor, Army veteran Lee is facing his demons and rebuilding his life
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Joe Walker
Left homeless and with PTSD after being injured in Iraq.
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Cpl Mark Stephenson
Cpl Mark Stephenson sustained a career-ending arm injury in July 2015 but has been supported through a difficult time by SSAFA’s Personal Support & Social Work Service
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Liam Houghton
Senior Aircraftman Liam Houghton, 31, sustained life-threatening injuries in May 2014 and has been unable to work since
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Catherine and Oliver
Catherine and Oliver adopted Harry through the SSAFA adoption service
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Major Paul Moore
Paul Moore was in the Army for 34 years. He is now a volunteer Branch Secretary with SSAFA’s Durham Branch.
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Eugene Conlin
Eugene Conlin struggled with his back and a long-term knee injury sustained during an army training exercise, until SSAFA organised funding for a mountain trike.
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Jason Wheeler
AFGHANISTAN VETERAN SUFFERING FROM PTSD TURNED HIS LIFE AROUND, WITH SSAFA'S SUPPORT
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Michelle
Runs a Veterans' Club in Southend
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Lyndsey Weller
SSAFA helped Lyndsey successfully retrain as a paramedic after she was medically discharged from the Army suffering from PTSD
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Meet Christian Lewis
When veteran Christian found himself homeless, SSAFA gave him a home.