Bear Grylls pays a visit to serving personnel and SSAFA volunteers in Scotland

05 December 2024

Bear Grylls, adventurer and former SAS trooper, recently stopped by His Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde and spoke with volunteers for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

Bear, a supporter of SSAFA for many years including being a reader at its 2023 Christmas Carol Concert, generously took the time to stop and chat with SSAFA volunteers who were onsite while he was visiting HMNB Clyde for a conversation with Scottish television presenter and Invictus Games medallist, JJ Chalmers.

Speaking to SSAFA volunteers, Bear Grylls said: “SSAFA is a great organisation that does such valuable work for our veterans and their families. Thank you for all that you do for the Armed Forces and their families.

"The only difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the word extra. When the chips are down and you are struggling, if you push through, it is amazing what you can achieve.”

Janet Marshall, SSAFA Dunbartonshire Branch Fundraiser, said: "We were delighted to be invited by HMNB Captain Boyd to come along and raise the SSAFA profile. Bear was an inspiration, and his talk was humbling and uplifting as to what individuals and a team can achieve. He commended us on the work that SSAFA does and urged us to keep on doing it."

During his visit at HMNB Clyde, JJ interviewed Bear in front of personnel from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, where Bear spoke openly about his life and his time in the military.