Edinburgh and Lothians welcomes new team members!

25 June 2021

SSAFA Edinburgh and Lothians today unveiled the new leadership team to drive the charity forward in the  region.

The new team will take forward SSAFA’s role to provide welfare, health and support services for serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and their families across Edinburgh and Lothians.

SSAFA has been providing lifelong support to our Forces and their families since 1885 and in 2020 helped more than 79,000 people in need.

The new team consists of:

President: Lt Col (Retd) Jonathan (Jonny) Gray

Jonny Gray is the new Branch President of SSAFA Edinburgh and Lothians. His role is to provide strategic guidance, support and promotion of SSAFA in the region. Colonel Gray is former Commanding Officer of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and a veteran of the Iraq War and Northern Ireland. He left the Army in 2005 and is now the CEO of the International Tennis Integrity Agency. A resident of Northumberland Street, Edinburgh.

Jonny said: “I am delighted to join the SSAFA team and help with its most valuable work supporting the Armed Forces community across Edinburgh and Lothians. We have a significant tri-service population in Edinburgh and, at times, some of them need a helping hand. SSAFA is here for them and their families.”

Chairman: Walter Gallacher

Walter Gallacher is the new Branch Chair of SSAFA Edinburgh and Lothians. In this role he coordinates the day-to-day work of the charity in the region working with the office holders and caseworkers. As a current SSAFA caseworker, Walter brings his experience working with the local Armed Forces community to understand how best the charity can support them. Then sourcing that support from a wide range of fundraising and grant-giving charities and agencies from Poppy Scotland to local authorities.

Walter said: “I am pleased to become the Branch Chair of SSAFA Edinburgh and Lothians. I have seen first-hand how the charity can be the vital linchpin between the Armed Forces community, including their families, and the wider grant giving charity sector.”

Branch Fundraiser: Anne Lamb

Former SSAFA Branch Chair Anne Lamb has moved into a new role to drive the charities fundraising efforts in the region. Charitable giving is essential to ensuring the charity continues to deliver its support across the region. Anne works with organisations across Edinburgh and Lothians to facilitate their support for SSAFA and coordinates fundraising activities and events.

Anne said: "As a volunteer with SSAFA for 11years as a caseworker, and previous Chairman, I am delighted to take on this new role and look forward to raising awareness of what we do by engaging with private and corporate donors who wish to support those who need our help.”

The team above is also supported by Iain Doherty, Branch Secretary, and Jill Wilson, Branch Treasurer.

If you are interested in volunteering for SSAFA Edinburgh and Lothians, you can search for roles here.