'Incredibly valued' SSAFA volunteer receives special award for Armed Forces support

20 October 2026

Mary Kenyon is the proud recipient of SSAFA’s Sir James Gildea Global Award. Named after the Armed Forces charity’s founder and presented just once a year at the Victory Services Club in London during SSAFA’s Annual Members' Meeting, the awards recognise exceptional contributions to SSAFA’s activities and values. 

This year’s presentations had a special connection to SSAFA’s history: they were made by two of Sir James’s descendants, Edward Gildea and David Santa-Olalla DSO MC. Edward is, among many other things, a retired headteacher, and David is the Regional Chair of SSAFA London. 

Mary, who lives near Kippen, began volunteering with SSAFA as a young Army spouse – initially while posted to Arborfield Garrison in Berkshire, and later with SSAFA Forth Valley Branch when she and her soldier husband Neil were posted back to Scotland. 

After 25 years as a caseworker – directly supporting veterans and Forces families with everything from accessing food and furniture to navigating health difficulties and support for funeral costs – Mary took on the additional responsibility of SSAFA Forth Valley Branch Chair, a role she maintained for 10 years. 

Now Deputy Convenor of SSAFA’s Scottish Resources Committee, one of SSAFA’s most senior volunteers in Scotland, and an active Community Engagement Volunteer with SSAFA’s Forth Valley Branch, Mary represents SSAFA at local events and has led on the development of a number of fundraising and wellbeing projects – from establishing veteran curling sessions at The Peak to promoting arts and culture group Creative Veterans, and developing dementia awareness training in partnership with the University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development Centre. 

Mary said: “I’m very honoured but a bit embarrassed to be recognised with an award when, as volunteers, we are here to serve and in particular to help and assist veterans; but I really appreciate the people that I volunteer with, and it is great recognition for the branch and their work. It really is the people that motivate me to keep going – that and the knowledge that I’m doing something useful for others.” 

Ian McAlister, SSAFA Forth Valley Branch Chair, said: “Mary is an incredibly valued member of SSAFA Forth Valley Branch. Having helped thousands of veterans and Forces families in the Forth Valley area and across Scotland during her time with SSAFA, Mary is held in great admiration, respect and affection by branch members past and present. She thoroughly deserves this prestigious award and we couldn’t be more pleased for her or prouder of her achievement.” 

All at SSAFA send Mary their heartfelt congratulations on receiving the Sir James Gildea Global Award.