Awards given at SSAFA Herefordshire's 2025 AGM

12 June 2025

SSAFA Herefordshire held their Annual General Meeting in May, and the event was particularly special for a number of Branch Volunteers who received awards for the work they do supporting Herefordshire veterans, serving military personnel and their families.  The Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire, Edward Harley CBE, presented the awards - and received one himself for his own work for SSAFA in the county.

Alongside the five awards for dedicated service, two volunteers were handed a Sir James Gildea Award, which, named after the founder of SSAFA, were created to recognise volunteers for their exceptional contribution and commitment to SSAFA’s activities and values.

• Lord-Lieutenant Edward Harley CBE - 5 Years service
• Philip Chandler - 5 years service
• Paul Cummings - 10 years service
• Marge Cooper- 20 years service
• Shona - Gildea Award
• Tim Howson, Chair SSAFA Herefordshire - Gildea Award & 15 years service
  
  

The AGM also welcomed speakers from SSAFA Central Office including Julie McCarthy (Director of Welfare Operations) and Naomi Kettering (Mentoring Coordinator, Midlands and Wales).

Additionally, Samantha Lewis, Chair of the Herefordshire Veteran Support Centre, provided an update on the work of the support centre.  The Herefordshire Veteran Support Centre was initiated to provide a friendly ‘One Stop Support Shop’ offering information, advice, training and coordination point for the whole of the Armed Forces family in Herefordshire.