Devon Branch of SSAFA is delighted to have been awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS); the announcement was made today in a supplement to the London Gazette . The QAVS is equivalent to the MBE and is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of The Queen's coronation.

This really is a fantastic achievement and a huge compliment of which Devon Branch of SSAFA can be immensely proud. It recognises the extraordinary hard work, selfless commitment and dedication of all members of the Branch, past and present. We will receive a signed certificate from Her Majesty The Queen, a piece of engraved English crystal and the right, in perpetuity to display the QAVS logo on official correspondence and documentation.

On the evening of 15 May in the Guildhall , Councillor Rob Hannaford was installed as the new Lord Mayor of Exeter. He has chosen SSAFA Devon as the Lord Mayor's charity for his Mayoral Year. The extract below was part of his speech.

“This year marks the hundredth anniversary that the First World War ended, so my chosen Lord Mayor’s charity for my Mayoral Year will be SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association). It’s the oldest military charity in Great Britain having been founded in 1885, primarily to help the wives and families of soldiers and sailors wounded or killed in the service of their country. It has for the last 133 years worked tirelessly to help transform the lives of veterans and their families who need help and support.”

“Assistance comes in various forms ranging from provision of white goods or mobility aids for those with injuries and disabilities, to help with food, clothing, furniture and accommodation for those suffering financial hardship and distress. A significant number of them are now younger veterans of the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan who are suffering from mental illness and associated problems. Apart from a small team in SSAFA’s Central Office in London, the charity is manned entirely by volunteers, people from all walks of life who give their time and energy for free to help those who have fought for and protected our nation over the years. I passionately believe that that those who have served our country, and protect our rights and liberties, should get the best possible support when they need it.”

After the ceremony a special new banner advertising the Lord Mayor's charity was displayed and the Devon Branch Chairman, Andrew Pillar OBE, (on the right of the picture) presented the Lord Mayor with a SSAFA tie and lapel pin; also present was Andy Canning OBE, Devon Branch Fundraiser.

SSAFA Devon is honoured to have been selected as the Lord Mayor's charity and excited at the opportunities it affords us. We look forward to being the focus of and supporting the Lord Mayor's fundraising events.

When Val Atkinson became Lady Captain at Torquay Golf Club in February last year she decided to adopt SSAFA Devon as her charity for her 12 month term. Her choice was influenced by her awareness of SSAFA's role and being a mother of 2 sons who are serving in the REME and have completed operational tours of Iraq and Afghanistan.
During the year Val and the ladies of Torquay Golf Club organised various fund raising events, the proceeds of which amounted to a fantastic total of £3141.40. On the evening of
12 February the Branch Chairman, Brigadier Andrew Pillar OBE, collected a cheque from Val and thanked her and the ladies of the Club for their very generous donation and brilliant efforts on behalf of SSAFA Devon.

On Friday 20 April the Devon Branch of SSAFA the Armed Forces charity held its Annual General Meeting at Wyvern Barracks in Exeter. The meeting was chaired by the Branch President, Sir Andrew Ridgway. In addition to about 50 Branch volunteers were a number of guests from local charitable organisations and bodies with an interest in the welfare of military veterans and their families. The meeting was addressed by Steve Baynes, Head of Grants & Social Policy for The Royal British Legion and Sir Andrew Gregory Chief Executive of SSAFA. Mr David Fursdon esq, Her Majesty's Lord-lieutenant for Devon attended and presented Long Service Awards to a number of SSAFA volunteers; see pictures in Gallery.