Inverness-shire and Western Isles branch meets SSAFA National Chair Sir Simon Bollom

04 June 2025

Sir Simon Bollom giving the address at the 140th anniversary of SSAFA service in St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh

Sir Simon Bollom, National Chair of SSAFA, visited Inverness and was met by members of the SSAFA Inverness-shire and Western Isles branch. They were joined by colleagues from Grampian, Dundee and Sutherland at the Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel in Inverness to receive an address from Sir Simon and updates from SSAFA Scotland staff.

The meeting opened with an update from the SRC Convenor Walter Gallacher and included a round-up of SSAFA Scotland activity and a video. This was followed by a Fundraising and Volunteer Development discussion and an update on the National Delivery from the Regional Operations Manager, Alisdair Johnston. Sir Simon then gave a really interesting and reflective talk on his first year with SSAFA and the work being undertaken. There was lively debate and discussion around all of the topics and the event ended with a Culture Review session.

Lunch afforded an opportunity for the various Branch members to meet and discuss common issues and themes and provided excellent insights into what the Branches were doing with regards fundraising and raising the profile of SSAFA.

Sir Simon also gave the address at the special service in St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh to mark the 140th anniversary of SSAFA. The Inverness-shire and Western Isles branch was in attendance at the service. The branch congratulates SSAFA on 140 years of supporting the British military community!

Sir Simon Bollom making a presentation to SSAFA members in Inverness