Meet Simon & Rob
SSAFA mentor Rob is helping former RAF officer Simon with the transition to civilian life
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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Meet Grant
When SSAFA helped this former soldier, he promised he would one day give something back
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Meet Prince
After being medically discharged, this veteran faced an uncertain future
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Meet Sid
SSAFA helped this WWII veteran with care home costs
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Meet Ken
Describes his SSAFA caseworker as a "guardian angel"
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Meet Nigel
With SSAFA's support, Nigel is overcoming his combat-related mental health challenges
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Meet Joseph
WWII veteran continues to live independently with help from SSAFA
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Meet Chris
Army vet is running marathon for SSAFA after we helped him adopt
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Meet 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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Meet Bernie
(Major) Bernie Broad was blown up in an IED explosion in Afghanistan
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Meet Tom
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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Meet Carra
Royal Navy veteran with a new lease of life
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Meet Lauren
Military dependant & recent graduate
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Meet 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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Meet Mark
Army veteran, student & foster dad
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Gemima Stevenson
Army veteran and mother of two, Gemima's husband died while serving
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Meet Christian Dobson
Christian reached out to SSAFA for financial support and guidance after leaving the Navy
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Meet Ben
RAF engineer Ben faced an abrupt end to his military career when he was diagnosed with PTSD
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Meet the Weatherall Family
SSAFA helped fund the training for an assistance dog for this service family
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Meet 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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Meet Gemma and Louise
This serving RAF couple adopted their daughter through SSAFA
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Meet Sarah
Took on London Marathon for SSAFA
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Steve Athawes
Walked over 800 miles 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 takes on 168 mile bike ride
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Meet Malcolm
Volunteer at SSAFA Solihull & Birmingham Division for more than 14 years
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Meet Tony Jackson
Volunteer caseworker with SSAFA's Sussex Branch for 14 years
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Meet Graham
Former Guardsman and SSAFA beneficiary now gives back by volunteering with us
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Meet David
Diagnosed with PTSD, David has struggled with transition to civvy life
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Meet Harry
SSAFA assisted Dunkirk veteran Harry in getting a mobility scooter
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Meet Mark Anthony
Mark faces constant pain and is almost housebound
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Meet Mandy
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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Meet Lee
With support from his SSAFA mentor, Army veteran Lee is facing his demons and rebuilding his life
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Meet Joe
Left homeless and with PTSD after being injured in Iraq.
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Cpl Mark Stephenson
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.
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Liam Houghton
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.
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Catherine and Oliver
Catherine and Oliver adopted Harry through the SSAFA adoption service in 2015
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Major Paul Moore, Branch Secretary for Durham Branch
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.
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Jason Wheeler
Jason was medically discharged suffering from severe PTSD
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Meet Michelle
Runs a Veterans' Club in Southend
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Meet Lyndsey
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.