SSAFA named as Boeing UK Charity of the Year 2019

14 November 2019

14 November 2019

A recent announcement from Boeing allocating more than $10 million in grants to 102 Forces charities worldwide will allow SSAFA to continue their vital work with the military community. This latest round of charitable funding exceeds targets set by the aerospace and defence company and demonstrates their ongoing commitment towards supporting the Forces worldwide

SSAFA will receive a total of £62,000 from Boeing, to be split into two separate funds. The Boeing Emergency Fund will consist of £31,000 to be accessed by SSAFA’s on-the-ground team of caseworkers, to help members of the Forces family who are in urgent need.

The second half of the funding will go towards SSAFA’s mentoring programme which helps motivate, support, and empower Armed Forces leavers to fulfil their potential in their new lives outside the military. Trained mentors provide long-term, one-to-one, face-to-face support during transition and for up to two years post discharge. Mentors meet face to face each week with their mentees to ensure continued support. Boeing’s support will allow SSAFA to train 40 new mentors.

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is extremely grateful to Boeing UK for their recent very generous contribution to our work.  The charity is proud to be there for every member of the military community when in need – it is the very least that we can do for the men, women and families who have dedicated their lives to ensuring the safety of our nation.

Without the support of companies like Boeing UK, the impact and reach of our vital work would be curtailed: we greatly appreciate their commitment to SSAFA.

- Sir Andrew Gregory, Controller, SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity

It’s important for us to know that those who have served our country, together with their families and loved ones, are looked after and cared for in times of need, and supported in their transition to civilian life. The two SSAFA programmes that Boeing supports -- mentoring and the Boeing Emergency Fund for Veterans – will provide Armed Forces leavers with valuable safety-nets and will support them to flourish after leaving service.

It’s an honour to partner with SSAFA as our 2019 UK Charity of the Year, and help SSAFA’s network of over 5,600 dedicated volunteers build stronger communities.

- Sir Martin Donnelly, President, Boeing Europe and Managing Director, Boeing UK & Ireland.

We are proud to support SSAFA in its work to restore independence and dignity to thousands of former service men and women, and their families, each year. As the UK's oldest national tri-service military charity, supporting regulars and reserves, SSAFA plays a vital part in helping forces families live happy and fulfilled lives after service.

In particular, our support for their mentoring scheme and the Boeing Emergency Fund for Veterans means that no forces leaver should feel alone or powerless in their time of need. SSAFA is a well-deserving partner as our 2019 UK Charity of the Year.

Anna Keeling, Managing Director, Boeing Defence UK.