Lee Edwards (Cpl), 34, was medically discharged from the Army in September 2016 after being diagnosed with PTSD. He served in Northern Ireland (2001), Falklands (2004), Iraq (2003 and 2006) and Afghanistan (2009 and 2011) during his 17-year Army career which saw him transfer to the Royal Army Veterinary Corps in 2007 to work as a dog handler. With the support of his SSAFA mentor Andrew Hawkes he has now set up a successful dog training and grooming business with his partner Jenna.
Left homeless after injured in Iraq.
Cpl Mark Stephenson, 37, a ground electrician based at RAF Wittering sustained a career-ending arm injury in July 2015 after falling and dislocating his elbow and shoulder. The married, father-of-one has been supported through a difficult time by Matt Rowe of SSAFA’s Personal Support & Social Work Service who provided practical and emotional support and also liaised with Mark’s line manager on his behalf.
Senior Aircraftman Liam Houghton, 31, sustained life-threatening injuries in a motorcycle accident in May 2014 and has been unable to work since. Liam, who previously worked in logistics at RAF Waddington, has undergone full spinal reconstructive surgery and has been left with short and long term memory problems. He has taken up archery to assist with his rehabilitation and competed successfully at the Air Force Trials in the US.
Catherine and Oliver*, who is a Vibration Analyst in the Navy, have a birth son, Sam, aged seven, and adopted a son, Harry, now 20-months-old, through the SSAFA adoption service in 2015.
Rupert van der Horst, 75, served 33 years in the Royal Marines, commanding the Special Boats Squadron and 42 Commando during that time. He saw active service including Borneo, three tours of Northern Ireland and the Falklands conflict and retired a Brigadier. He is now a caseworker with SSAFA’s Salisbury Division.
Paul Moore, 56, served 34 years in the Army, retiring as a Major in 2010. He was in 9 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers attached to 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment during the Falklands conflict and was involved in the gruelling Battle for Mount Longdon, which saw the loss of 23 British troops. He is now a volunteer Branch Secretary with SSAFA’s Durham Branch.
Captain John Phillips DSC, 74, served with the Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal Regiment during the Falklands Conflict in 1982. John was defusing a 500kg bomb on-board HMS Antelope when it exploded. John's colleague was sadly killed, whilst John himself was badly injured resulting in the amputation of his left arm at the shoulder. He became a SSAFA caseworker in Coventry when he retired in 2002 and after moving to Surrey now volunteers with SSAFA’s Woking Division.
Dorothy Walters, 97, was 23 and living in Salisbury when she volunteered to join the Royal Navy during World War II. She was based at Horseguards Parade in London where she worked as a Wren Writer. She is now a member of SSAFA’s Southend Veterans Club and enjoys her regular outing.
Pat Fordham, 90, joined the ATS in 1943 as a 17-year-old who was still entitled to a daily milk ration. She worked as a teleprinter operator at the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force under Goodge Street tube station and was on duty when Allied troops entered Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp for the first time.
Louis Smit, originally from South Africa, served with 2 Para for 10 years. Married with two children, Louis was medically discharged from the Army in 2013 after he was seriously injured in Afghanistan. With SSAFA's help, he is currently retraining as an electrician.
Denise and Gareth have three children aged six, five and two. Gareth was a vehicle specialist in the Royal Logistics Corps from 2001 to 2004. His right leg was amputated above the knee following a car accident in which he also suffered damage to his left leg. He was medically discharged in 2004. SSAFA has supported the family in adapting their home and making the garden more accessible. Gaz has since excelled at sports including wheelchair basketball, and SSAFA has also assisted him in applying for funding for sports equipment.
Eugene Conlin, 65, joined the Army in 1970 and was a corporal when he was made redundant in 1979. He went on to serve three years in the TA before joining the RAF Regiment at the age of 32 and serving a further six years. He left the forces in 1989. Eugene struggles with his back and a long-term knee injury sustained during a training exercise and was unable to get out and about without a car until SSAFA organised funding for a mountain trike.
(Pte) Paul Lewis, 38, joined the Parachute Regiment in 1999. He sustained a leg injury during a tour of Iraq which left him unable to parachute and was later diagnosed with PTSD. The father-of-one left the Army in 2007. When Paul was left homeless following a relationship breakdown earlier this year he ended up sleeping in his car but SSAFA was able to find him somewhere to live and furnish it with everything he needed.
Liam Martin, 27, joined the Army at 16 and served with First Battalion, the Royal Green Jackets. He completed tours of Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan but was medically discharged in 2014, five years after being diagnosed with PTSD. Liam is unable to work and SSAFA has assisted the family with payment of rent, utility bills and removal expenses. Liam now uses running to help him cope with his PTSD.
Garry broke his back and lost his sight.
Jason Wheeler, 43, served 15 years in the Army. He was medically discharged in 2013 suffering from PTSD and depression and became increasingly isolated, shunning contact with the outside world and hoarding rubbish in his flat. When he was burgled in 2015 it proved to be a turning point and a SSAFA caseworker has helped him to look to the future. Jason now uses art to help him focus and recently won the Army Templar Award for soldiers who use art as a therapy for mental health problems.
Andy Bracey, 41, joined the Royal Artillery in 1990 and later served with REME but tours of Northern Ireland and Iraq have left him with severe anxiety. The father-of-one was medically discharged from the Army in 2007 following a motorbike accident but has found a new lease of life in sport and returned from the 2016 Invictus Games with two silver and two bronze medals for wheelchair racing. SSAFA is assisting Andy with getting his home adapted and he is also a member of SSAFA’s Southend Veterans Club.
Alfred Smith, 97, from Essex, served in the Royal Army Service Corps during World War II. He was evacuated from Dunkirk and went on to take part in the D-Day landings before being hospitalised by a shrapnel injury. Alfred lost his wife Betty 14 years ago. He is now a regular member at SSAFA’s Southend Veterans Club.
Mindy and her husband Lee, who is in the RAF Regiment, have adopted two brothers through the SSAFA Adoption Service.
Georgina and her husband Spencer, a WO2 in the Army (retiring June 2016), have been together 20 years. They adopted their daughter Mollie*, now seven, 18 months ago.
Volunteer Divisional Secretary Michelle believes everyone who has served our country deserves our lifelong support; 'through our nationwide network of volunteers, we support veterans and their families; from helping those facing financial difficulties to friendship through our Southend Veterans Club for those who may feel isolated.'
James Wilkinson, Lance Corporal with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps was critically injured in an IED explosion. With SSAFA’s help, he now runs a dog hydrotherapy business.
Toby Southgate, 43, joined the Royal Corps of Transport as a 16-year-old in 1989 and served in the first Gulf War, but left the Army in 1993. Dogged by ill-health, he has never found the stability which service life gave him. He has served time in prison and is currently homeless but is trying to build his own business.
Janina Hooper, 38, joined the Royal Navy at 19 but was medically discharged after serving for eight years, leaving in 2004. Battling depression, she struggled to adjust to civilian life and is now wheelchair-bound and unable to work.
David Swift joined the Army on his 17th birthday and served for almost six years in the 1st Battalion the Queens Lancashire regiment during which time he served in the First Gulf War. He now lives with his partner and seven-year-old daughter but says it took him ten years to settle into civilian life.
Months after her husband Captain (subsequently Major) Dick Woolley was reported missing during one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War, Lucy Woolley received a telegram from Germany. It read simply: “Cheers, Best Love. Woolley.” The wire was the confirmation she had been hoping for that, contrary to some reports, her husband had, against all the odds, survived the Battle of the Somme and was being held captive in Germany.
Left homeless, unable to see his daughter
Three years after Sally Veck’s combat medic daughter was killed in Iraq, she was still crying every day. Finding a way out of her grief seemed to be impossible. But through SSAFA Sally found consolation in helping other bereaved parents.
World War Two veteran Edgar Slater, 97, has lived alone since his wife passed away 27 years ago. He suffers from macular degeneration and is registered blind. When his boiler stopped working in the middle of winter his SSAFA caseworker was able to secure funding and get the boiler replaced in a matter of days.
Andy Phillips served in the RAF for 10 years but sustained a career-ending back injury during the Gulf War. He was medically discharged in 1993 but struggled to find work that he could do with his injury. Two decades on and he is about to compete in his second Invictus Games having secured a gold medal in archery at the 2014 event.
In 2011, Scott was serving in Afghanistan when he stepped on an IED and lost both his legs. Scott refused to let misfortune hold him back and is now competing in the 2016 Invictus Games.
Rifleman Shaun Twigg's youngest son Freddie has autism, SSAFA helped create a safe haven for him at home.
After a football injury resulted in veteran Mark having his leg amputated, SSAFA provided a stair lift for his home.
When combat engineer Sam was injured in Afghanistan, SSAFA was there for him and his family.
After SSAFA helped Scott and his family with the additional needs of his daughter, he is giving back to SSAFA by walking the West Highland Way
Injured while serving, unable to afford help
Former Army Combat Medical Technician Lyndsey was medically discharged with PTSD in 2012, SSAFA helped her to retrain for a new career as a paramedic.
“Last year we heard about the SSAFA Siblings Breaks from our local SSAFA branch. I looked into it and thought what an amazing opportunity it would be for Felicity to have a break, make some friends who are in the same boat, and have fun.''
“It’s vital that other servicemen and women and veterans who face challenges like me know they and their families can rely on the support of SSAFA now and in the future. That’s why I’m supporting SSAFA - they can only provide that support with the public’s help.”
Rob Cromey-Hawke sustained life-changing brain, back and spinal injuries in Afghanistan. SSAFA made sure his family could be there for him during his recovery.
Martin and Gill's younger son Corporal Christopher Harrison, 26, died in a fatal explosion on 9 May 2010. Their lives have been affected since that day but with the help of SSAFA's Bereaved Family Support Group they have found ways to cope.
“I went to the first meeting not knowing what to expect. The SSAFA staff are so lovely and understanding. They took time to chat to everyone and the experience of meeting other families in our situation was really positive.”
Michelle was the first female to work on the frontline with the RAF regiment. She was left traumatised by her experience of battle in Afghanistan .Her struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder left her terrified to leave the house alone. She credits SSAFA with giving her a second chance.
Derek spent 12 years in the RAF and was sent to the Falklands and Belize as part of his role with an Air Defence unit. In 1996, he left the UK Forces and for the last 15 years Derek has volunteered for SSAFA.
After Olivia's brother Corporal Liam Riley was killed in Afghanistan, she attended SSAFA's Support Group for Bereaved Families.
Former RAF infantry gunner was suffering with PTSD and living in his car. SSAFA helped him and his wife get back on their feet.
Zach has complex health needs, SSAFA raised the money to cover their hospital travel expenses and give them a much needed family holiday
When Corporal Harvey Holmes was killed while serving in Afghanistan at the age of just 22, his mum Beverley and older sister Elizabeth were devastated. Through joining SSAFA’s Bereaved Families Support Group they have been able to meet and talk to other families in similar situations – people who understood how they felt.
Paul is a volunteer mentor with Forces leavers. He says, "I'm proud of the new skills I've learned."
Ellie spreads the word about SSAFA to serving families. She says, "I love being part of a team. We're there for each other."
Diane is community volunteer working with serving families. She says, "Volunteering for SSAFA is special. I can make a real difference."
Angie helps out on our short breaks for service children. She says, "Volunteering is so much fun! It's extremely rewarding and energising."
Sonia, wife of former Royal Marine Anthony, shares memories of celebrating VE Day when she was 15 and her life in the Armed Forces family since then.
Former Army Sergeant, George, was seriously injured in Afghanistan. Now his SSAFA Mentor David is helping him settle into civillian life.
Pabitra is the SSAFA social work assistant and Nepali interpreter based in Brunei.
Alfie-Joe's parents were struggling to save for a specially adapted bike. Their local SSAFA were able to help.
Joshua who has attention deficit disorder and autism, had an action packed summer at one of SSAFA's short breaks.
When veteran Alan couldn't afford a washing machine or fridge, SSAFA stepped in.
Edward and William both have cerebal palsy. SSAFA provided them with a specialist wheelchair and bed.
When Veteran Tony suffered life-changing injuries, SSAFA provided him with a specialised wheelchair.
Veteran Christian fell on hard times and both he and his young daughter found themselves homeless. SSAFA found them a home.
When Janets marriage broke down, SSAFA's Stepping Stone Homes gave her a safe place to go.
Captain John Philips volunteers for SSAFA to put something back into his local veteran community. He says, "I get a great buzz from volunteering."
As a SSAFA Mentor, Fiona helps veterans transition into civillian life.
Matthew was born with Down’s syndrome. Last year Matthew, 10, attended SSAFA’s short break for children with additional needs. It was a chance for him to try new experiences and even to be away from home for the first time. He loved every minute of it!
Five-year-old Travis has medical conditions that affect every aspect of his life and impact his development. When he needed a special bed, SSAFA was there to help. Now he has a bed built to his requirements - and it's his favourite place in the world.
Karla's brother was killed in Afghanistan. SSAFA's Support Groups helped her put her life back together.
When Amir was facing homelessness, SSAFA assisted with his moving costs and provided essential items for his home.
When their brother was killed in Afghanistan, Laura, Kate and Jayne found mutual support from SSAFA's Support Groups for bereaved families and siblings.
Senior Aircraftman Kevin Ogilvie was injured serving in Afghanistan. While he was in hospital, his family were able to stay at our SSAFA Norton Homes.
For Royal Marine Andy Grant, putting his body on the line was just part of fulfilling his duty. One trip wire in Helmand Province tore his body apart in seconds, and 18 months of intensive rehabilitation followed. SSAFA made sure his family were able to be at his side when he needed them most.