SSAFA volunteer marks 50 years of service to the Armed Forces community

21 August 2026

A dedicated Glasgow volunteer is celebrating half a century of service with SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

Charles Scott became aware of SSAFA by chance when his employer sent him to act as treasurer for a fundraising event early in his career. Fifty years on and the Pollokshields grandad-of-three has dedicated more than half of his life to SSAFA.

Charles is a recent Chair of SSAFA’s Glasgow and Renfrewshire Branch and remains a serving branch volunteer. He has officiated at several local milestones for the charity during his tenure, including the establishment of SSAFA’s Govan-based support hub, Glasgow’s Helping Heroes, and the unveiling of the Victoria Cross memorial at Glasgow’s Central Station.

Charles, 81, has even taken part in flagship fundraising events for SSAFA, such as the Kiltwalk and Zip Slide Across the Clyde.

In addition to his voluntary service to the Armed Forces community, Charles also served for more than 20 years in the Army Reserves, beginning as a Rifleman in Lanarkshire, and latterly as a Company Commander in Ayr.

A soldier with the “Ever Readies” - a specialist unit of Reserves that could be immediately called up to the regular Army - Charles completed active service in Cyprus, Germany, the Middle East, and Malta during his young professional life, all while balancing an accountancy career and increasingly senior voluntary roles with SSAFA.

Charles insists he has “lots of lovely stories” about the Reserves lifestyle - from commanding a helicopter full of international journalists reporting on military exercises in Germany, to being rescued from Glencoe when he and fellow soldiers were flooded out of their tents during a training exercise.

He said his lived experience of military life, including many Forces colleagues who benefitted from SSAFA support, inspired his long service.

“Our purpose is serving those in the Armed Forces community who have an unmet need, and we really do help them out,” Charles said.

“I have kept my link with the Reserves throughout my career, and seeing and hearing first-hand what members of the Armed Forces are facing and how SSAFA is there to help them is what keeps me going.”

Walter Gallacher, Convenor of the Scottish Resource Committee at SSAFA, said: 
 
“I’m delighted to recognise and thank Charles for his 50 years of service to SSAFA. To reach such a milestone is a huge achievement; it’s testament to Charles’ strong desire to help others and his ability to evolve with the changing needs of both our volunteer base and the people we support. 
 
“It is thanks in no small part to the steadfast commitment of people like Charles that SSAFA can continue to reach and support the Armed Forces community, so that serving personnel, veterans, and their families never battle alone.”