English Veterans Awards win for SSAFA volunteer!

25 September 2023

We are delighted to report that Mike Donne, SSAFA South West Durham’s President, took home the Silver Award for Volunteer of the Year last Thursday (21 September) at the English Veterans Awards.

SSAFA volunteers, Mike Donne and Ruth Wright founded the Bishop Auckland Veterans’ Group, which alleviates loneliness and isolation in older veterans who may be far from family or have no family to visit them. The pair have worked tirelessly and have already won local accolades for their efforts, being awarded the Durham County Council Chairman’s Medal earlier in the year.

Mike said: “It was an honour to have been nominated and I hope it raises the profile of the work we do. It has been a great night and I’m glad some of my SSAFA friends have been here to enjoy it with me.

“It was also a great privilege to be amongst such amazing veterans and supporters of the Armed Forces community. I feel very proud, and very humble."