SSAFA Ayrshire volunteers recognised for exemplary support of local Armed Forces community

05 March 2025

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has recognised Elaine Mcfadyen and Colette Chiesa of South Ayrshire for their dedication to helping the local Armed Forces community at its latest Scotland Regional Recognition Awards (RRA). 

The biannual awards were established in 2023 to formally acknowledge extra endeavour by SSAFA volunteers, staff and external supporters across its network of 17 branches in Scotland. 

Elaine and Colette are two of ten recipients of the latest RRAs, who were recognised with special SSAFA Scotland Region plaques at the charity’s Scotland Resource Committee meeting, held on 4 March at Volunteer Scotland, Jubilee House, in Stirling.  

SSAFA volunteers and external supporters can be nominated in the awards by fellow volunteers or SSAFA employees. 

Elaine’s nomination calls her leadership of the Ayrshire branch “transformative”, crediting her with improving its resourcing, fundraising and community engagement. Meanwhile, Colette was nominated by Elaine, who praised Colette for her ability to adapt and learn new skills when transitioning from a Caseworker to Casework Manager within the branch, all while keeping a keen focus on the beneficiaries the branch supports. 

Walter Gallacher, Convenor of the Scottish Resource Committee at SSAFA, commented: “The people behind SSAFA, from volunteers to supporters, are what helps us support the Armed Forces community when in need. It is always hard to choose just ten people to recognise from the many who work tirelessly across Scotland, but I am very pleased to congratulate Elaine and Colette on their awards. They have gone above and beyond in their roles leading and operating the Ayrshire branch, improving the support we give to serving personnel, veterans and their families in the area.”

Commenting on the award, Colette said: “I am very grateful to be recognised. Volunteering for SSAFA has been a great opportunity for me to get to know more people and organisations in my area, all while helping the Armed Forces community, showing them we do not take their service for granted.” 

Elaine added: “I was first inspired to volunteer for SSAFA because my husband served in the RAF, and I felt I had transferrable skills that could benefit a charity. But what inspires me now is seeing all the efforts of the other volunteers and their dedication to supporting the local Armed Forces community. 

“I’d ask any individuals or businesses to contact us if they can help spread the word by putting up a poster, putting out some leaflets or even taking a collection can. And of course, if anyone is thinking of volunteering, get in touch with the branch for an informal chat.”