James Christie – STR United Challenge £1,000 Donation to SSAFA Grampian Branch

08 September 2026

James Christie, Regional Director ESCA at STR, recently visited SSAFA Grampian in Aberdeen to present a £1,000 donation from STR following success in the STR United Challenge.

The STR United Challenge brought colleagues from across the business together through a series of challenges and friendly competition.

Following Team ESCA’s victory, James was given the opportunity to nominate a charity to receive a £1,000 donation from STR. For James, the decision to support SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, was a personal one.

Before beginning his career in the subsea industry, James spent more than 12 years serving in the British Army. During his military career, he served in locations around the world and completed several operational tours, including service during the Gulf War and as part of the United Nations mission in Bosnia. His experience has given James a lasting connection to the Armed Forces community and an appreciation of the support available to serving personnel, veterans and their families during and beyond military service.

James said: “Winning the STR United Challenge was a fantastic achievement for Team ESCA, but having the opportunity to turn that success into something that could benefit others made it particularly worthwhile. SSAFA was a natural choice for me. I spent more than 12 years in the British Army and served in a number of locations around the world, including operational tours during the Gulf War and with the United Nations in Bosnia. Although that was many years ago, the connection with the Armed Forces community stays with you. I have been fortunate in the years since leaving the Army, but the transition from military to civilian life is different for everyone. The support SSAFA provides to serving personnel, veterans and their families is something I have a great deal of respect for. Having recently returned to Aberdeen after many years working internationally, it was particularly meaningful to visit SSAFA Grampian, learn more about the support being delivered within the local community and present the £1,000 donation on behalf of STR and Team ESCA.”

Zoe from SSAFA Grampian said: “It was our pleasure to welcome James to SSAFA Grampian and hear about Team ESCA’s competition win. His recognition of the contribution that service life has made to his career was inspiring, and it is our privilege to receive this donation in support of our local Armed Forces community. A huge thank you to James and everyone at STR.”

The donation marks a positive conclusion to the STR United Challenge, extending the impact of an initiative designed to bring colleagues together while creating an opportunity to support important causes within our local communities.