SSAFA is a trusted source of support for serving personnel, veterans and their families in their time of need. Need help? Contact our Forcesline - 0800 260 6767
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Watch Gabby and Tyler's story and help @SSAFA support more military families like them. Please donate today and show your support for the incredible people in our #ArmedForces community. ssaf.as/autumnappeal2027
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📰 The former Worshipful the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Craig Collingswood @CJCollingswood, has kindly donated a cheque for £10,000 to the West Midlands North Branch of @SSAFA - one of four chosen causes during his term in office ▸ ssaf.as/1JR
ALT Cllr Collingswood (front right) presents £10,000 donation to the West Midlands North Branch Chair Katrina McNamara (centre).
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Earlier this month, @SSAFA's Nottinghamshire Branch, along with guest of honour and presenter Sir Simon Bollom, SSAFA's National Chair, attended the annual #BootsAndBerets Awards.
Bringing together the great and the good from across #Nottinghamshire, the evening was a great example of 'One SSAFA' in action.
The SSAFA table was represented by volunteers and colleagues from across the organisation including Caseworkers, Community Engagement Volunteers, Mentors and staff - all looking exceptionally glamorous for the occasion!
We were particularly delighted to see Newark Services Club, home to our Nottinghamshire Branch, take home the Community Award in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the local community.
Overall, the evening was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate community achievements, strengthen relationships and raise SSAFA's profile amongst influential partners and stakeholders across the county.
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We are concerned to hear today's news reports of a crashed @RoyalAirForce jet on #Anglesey, but also relieved to hear that both crew members are safe. @SSAFA's thoughts are with the crew and their families, and all personnel at @RAF_Valley at this time.
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📰 @Aramark has shown its continued support for @SSAFA by providing 1,500 goodie bags for participants of this year’s 13 Bridges Challenge, the charity’s flagship #ArmedForcesDay fundraising event. ▸ ssaf.as/1JQ
ALT Glyn Ingram, Aramark's Managing Director of Government Services, is pictured showing off one of the goodie bags presented to this year's 13 Bridges Challenge participants.
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📰 Riders from across the defence and emergency public service sectors have raised more than £30,500 - including Gift Aid - for @SSAFA after completing this year’s Blue Light Cycling Club x Tour de BT challenge around #Cambridgeshire ▸ ssaf.as/1JP
ALT Some of the Blue Light Cycling Club x Tour de BT team taking a pit stop for some well deserved refreshments!
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SSAFA retweeted
Less than 100 days until Christmas... where has the year gone? 🎄
I'm delighted to have created the 2027 calendar and Christmas card for SSAFA, helping raise funds for serving personnel, veterans and their families.
Please take a look and reshare if you can. Every purchase makes a difference.
shop.ssafa.org.uk/products/s…
#SSAFA #VeteransSupport #MilitaryFamilies
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We are sad to hear of the death of Normandy veteran, Ken Hay MBE, 101, who survived being taken prisoner shortly after #DDay and selflessly dedicated his later years to teaching children about #WW2. Our condolences to Ken's sons and all the Hay family. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv4g…
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At just six days old, Gabby's son was diagnosed with heart failure; only open-heart surgery could save him.
Overwhelmed with worry, Gabby made a life-changing call to @SSAFA.
Today, Bertie is a cheeky two-year-old, brave and resilient.
Your kind donation to our Autumn Appeal today can be the difference between a military family facing a crisis alone and one having a community ready to help. Thank you. donate.ssafa.org.uk/?campaig…
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Children are back in school, and there is still just enough time to put the sprouts on for Christmas Lunch.
And if all that did not scream “Christmas”, then the just-launched range of festive and seasonal cards and gifts from @SSAFA will: ssaf.as/1JM
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Find out more about how a legacy gift from @SSAFA volunteer June Best, and a community's need for a place of sanctuary, respite, and friendship, resulted in a garden built by the community for the community at the Gordon Messenger Centre in #Devon ▸ ssaf.as/autumnappeal
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In January 2027 the former soldier turned author and TV personality @bigphilcampion is heading up @SSAFA’s Warrior Challenge Lapland - a trek that will see up to 50 challengers completing a distance of 25-50km across the frozen landscape of Lapland: ssaf.as/1JK
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When @SSAFA's Devon Branch was asked by the Gordon Messenger Centre at #Lympstone to create a garden to provide a garden sanctuary and place to bring veterans together, we sprang into action - all thanks to a legacy gift from our volunteer, June Best. ssaf.as/autumnappeal
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Are you marathon ready? Want to support the #ArmedForces community? We have a couple of @SSAFA charity places available for the @maratonvalencia #42KValencia on Sunday 6 December. Find out more at ssaf.as/valenciamarathon2026
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@SSAFA is backing a new free rail travel initiative that will help bereaved military families attend #Remembrance services and commemorative events across Britain this year: ssaf.as/1JH
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When your finances go off track, don't battle alone. If you're in the #ArmedForces community, @SSAFA's Forcesline is here to back you up. Call us today on 0800 260 6780. ssafa.org.uk/get-help/forces…
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Today, we officially mark the 86th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, a pivotal air campaign fought in the summer and autumn of 1940, and remember and honour the courage and dedication of the servicemen and women of the @RoyalAirForce, civilians in the Royal Observer Corps, and those working in defence and emergency services on the ground in our towns and cities. #BattleOfBritainDay #ww2 ssaf.as/battleofbritainday
ALT On 29 July 1940, pilots of 'B' Flight, No. 32 Squadron relax on the grass at Hawkinge in front of Hurricane Mk I P3522, GZ-V. From left to right: Pilot Officer R.F. Smythe; Pilot Officer K.R. Gillman; Pilot Officer J.E. Procter; Flight Lieutenant P.M. Brothers; Pilot Officer D.H. Grice; Pilot Officer P.M. Gardner and Pilot Officer A.F. Eckford. All survived the war except Keith Gillman, who was posted missing 25 August 1940.
ALT WAAF telephone operators in RAF Fighter Command's Sector 'G' Operations Room at Duxford, Cambridgeshire, receiving reports of enemy aircraft plots from Observer Corps posts, September 1940.
ALT Battle of Britain air observer, 1940.
ALT Over 500 firemen and members of the London Auxiliary Fire Fighting Services, including many women, combined in a war exercise over the ground covered by Greenwich (London) Fire Station. Circa July 1939.
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"As a group of dedicated Ferrariphiles, we thought it was time to put Porsche to the test, while raising vital funds to support serving personnel and veterans."
📰 Surrey Tifosi talk 'Porsche' for @SSAFA with sights on Stuttgart ▸ ssaf.as/1JE
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Joining the @BritishArmy at 16, Sergeant Gabby discovered a love of travel... and the love of her life. Whilst serving in the Falklands, she met @RoyalNavy sailor, Tyler.
On a date, they bought a poppy in honour of a #WW2 veteran named Herbert and decided to name their first son after him.
In February 2024, baby Bertie was born. But the couple's joy was short-lived.
At six days old, Bertie was diagnosed with heart failure; only open-heart surgery could save him.
"I was frightened to truly bond with him; I thought he was going to die," says Gabby.
Their local hospital became their second home, but before surgery could take place Bertie developed an infection. Rushed to a children’s hospital miles from home, he clung to life.
"We were told to take it hour by hour. We were preparing to say goodbye."
Only one of them allowed to stay by Bertie’s bedside, the other was forced to sleep in the car to save on accommodation costs. Hospital food alone was costing hundreds per week.
Then, Gabby called @SSAFA's Forcesline.
Within hours, SSAFA volunteer caseworker Roger called them.
"He was old school military, calm and no nonsense. It was reassuring to know that we had Roger and SSAFA, that we had backup."
Roger knew that the couple needed rest. He booked them a hotel near the hospital, and arranged for them to receive funds to cover food and parking costs.
"If SSAFA hadn’t stepped in, we’d have been in thousands of pounds' worth of debt; it would have affected our family for years."
In time, Bertie had his operation. Today, he is a resilient, cheeky two year-old.
Please donate today to help us support more military families like Gabby, Tyler and Bertie. Because no one should ever battle alone.
donate.ssafa.org.uk/?campaig…
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