New Mayor salutes SSAFA

16 June 2023

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, is delighted to announce that Cllr Vivienne Charrett, the new Mayor of Christchurch, has named SSAFA as one of the Mayor’s two chosen charities for the 2023-24 Civic Year.

Cllr Charrett said: “I am delighted to choose SSAFA as one of the two charities for which I will be fundraising during my mayoral year. I am very aware, through close family, of the wide variety of issues that veterans and their families can experience. From complex PTSD, mental health issues, alcoholism, financial pressures, depression, inability to work in fulfilling employment, to divorce and losing the support of one's family. Anything we can do by fundraising to support these families in Christchurch will be at the top of my agenda.”

The new Mayor, whose son-in-law served in the Armed Forces, pledged to work with the charity to maximise fundraising in the coming year.

SSAFA Dorset Branch Chairman Terry Canham and South West Regional Fundraising Officer, Simon McNeill-Ritchie, attended Vivienne’s mayor-making ceremony.

Simon said: “We are honoured that Mayor Charrett has chosen to support SSAFA. Last year the mayor raised £30,000, so, as an organisation, we are keen to assist with fundraising however we can. SSAFA continues to work with the council to deliver excellent veteran care throughout the area and support those still serving in the region too.”