Jackie Avery came to SSAFA Devon in 1991 as a caseworker. She excelled in this role, with her compassion, effiency and empathy aligning her with SSAFA's core values and giving her the strength to take on many very difficult cases. An excellent communicator, she established a strong rapport for her clients and unfailingly did her best to ensure they got the help they needed as soon as possible. Following four years as a caseworker, she became Divisional Secretary of North Devon & Torridge, a geographically widespread and very busy division helping 250 clients each year, comprising over 100 cases and a 150 visits and contacts, which for more than 18 years she has managed with outstanding proficiency, creating a perfect model for other SSAFA divisions. She has a keen eye for good opportunities to promote the charity - leading to benefits for the whole branch. An exceptional volunteer, whether fundraising and increasing public awareness or recruiting volunteers she has established strong links in the county; frequently invited to speak about SSAFA at meetings of other organisations she has used her incomparable experience and exceptionally persuasive skills to influence and encourage them to work with and provide support for the charity.

SSAFA Devon held its AGM at Wyvern Barracks, Exeter on Thursday 23rd March by kind permission of the Commanding Officers of 6 Rifles and Exeter University OTC.
A minutes silence was observed prior to the meeting to remember Mr Keith Palmer, the policeman and former serviceman, killed whilst on duty at The Houses of Parliament the previous day.
Mr Rob Heard and Commodore Jake Moores OBE presented a cheque to the branch, the proceeds of public donations from The 19240 Shrouds of The Somme exhibition at Northernhay Gardens last year.
Rob Heard, the artist, handmade all the shrouds to commemorate all those who had died on the first day of the Battle of The Somme. SSAFA Devon is most grateful for the general public's generosity and
delighted that Rob Heard subsequently agreed to become a Vice President of our Branch.
Ms Sue Pillar - SSAFA Director Volunteer Operations, Mrs Tina Henry - Devon County Council Armed Forces Wellbeing Partnership, Mr Kevin Jeffery - Chairman TRBL Devon and Mr Pete Hawley - Naval Families
Federation all gave very interesting and informative talks.
Some 30 invited guests attended including The Lord Lieutenant's Representative, the Commandant of the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines and the Chairman of SSAFA Somerset. The Army Benevolent Fund
was represented as were all HMPs in Devon. The Patron of SSAFA Devon, Lord Clifford of Chudleigh presented members with their long service certificates and badges.
This was followed by an excellent buffet lunch.

Peter French, SSAFA Devon Branch Training Officer, is cycling to raise funds for SSAFA over 3 days at the end of August. He will cover 240 miles over the 3 days around the battlefields of Flanders, visiting Passchendaele, Arras, Ypres, Beaumont Hamel and Vimy Ridge. The team Peter is cycling with will be paying their respects at some of the cemeteries and memorials along the route, specifically the Devon Regiment cemetery, Menin Gate and the memorial to the 72,000 missing soldiers at Thiepval.

Peter's target is to raise £2000 and to date he has raised just over £800. If you would like to sponsor Peter to help him achieve his target you can do so via the main charity link at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ridethesomme
Your support for Peter's endeavours would be appreciated.

A Charity Concert of popular music, in aid of SSAFA Devon and Mars Hill Church, was held at The Riviera, Teignmouth on 14 July 2017. The concert was very successful and a cheque for over £730 was presented by Jeff Hocking, Musical Director (on the left of the picture) to Andy Pillar, OBE, Chairman of SSAFA Devon Branch. We would like to thank the choir for their hard work and for their support for SSAFA Devon and Mars Hill Church.

Peter French, SSAFA Devon Branch Training Officer, joined 139 other cyclists at the end of August in The Ride to the Somme, cycling to raise funds for SSAFA. He covered 240 miles over the 3 days around the battlefields of Flanders, visiting Passchendaele, Arras, Ypres, Beaumont Hamel and Vimy Ridge. The team paid their respects at some of the cemeteries and memorials along the route, specifically the Devon Regiment cemetery, Menin Gate and the memorial to the 72,000 missing soldiers at Thiepval.

Peter's target was to raise £2000 and to help him reach this target he received very generous sponsorship from Navtech Radar (www.navtechradar.com). We would like to thank them for their support.

The photograph shows Peter outside the Imperial War Museum just before he set off on his epic challenge.