KENT NEWS: An organisation that helps Armed Forces personnel is 125 years old this year.
The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) helps those currently in the military and servicemen who have left and are in need.
The Kent branch has unveiled a special campaign - SSAFA 125 – which is being launched with a service of celebration at Westminster Abbey on February 18.
Suresh Khanna, the county’s director of public affairs for the group said: “To mark our 125th anniversary we are launching Target 125 and asking everyone to ‘Be a Hero’ and raise £125 for SSAFA Forces Help in 2010.
“Whether you can run 5km, swim a mile, parachute from 12,000ft, do a sponsored silence or sit in a bath of baked beans, every contribution will help us to meet our pledge to support our troops and their families, now and for the rest of their lives.
“As the number of fatalities and serious injuries sustained in Afghanistan continues to rise, SSAFA’s family support groups are playing a vital role in helping relatives come to terms with loss and life-changing injuries.
“To date 254 British servicemen and women have lost their lives in Afghanistan and this number increases by the day.”
He said almost every parish in Kent has a connection with the Armed Forces, so it was important to raise as much money as they can to provide service personnel with assistance.
He said: “Working in extremely dangerous and challenging circumstances, SSAFA Forces Help continues to provide our servicemen, women, and their families, with the practical support they need.
“Over the course of more than a century SSAFA has adapted and evolved to meet the changing needs of our Armed Forces.”
The organisation was founded in 1885 to support troops and families of the second expeditionary force to Egypt. One of its patrons is Prince Michael of Kent.
As well as fatalities, many servicemen and women return home from warzones seriously wounded.
SSAFA’s two recently opened Norton Homes, in Birmingham, and Ashstead, Surrey, allow injured troops to spend time with their loved ones away from the hospital environment where they are being treated, giving them the opportunity to do normal family things such as eat a meal together or simply watch a film.
David Culmer, chairman of the south east London branch said: “In Bromley and Bexley we are running events throughout the year: look out for our flag day on February 13 in local supermarkets; our quiz night for Heroes on May 14 and our fabulous band concert in October.”
To help go to www.ssafa125.org.uk or phone the Kent county secretary on 01580 891507.
• A Castle Ball is being held at Lympne Castle on February 27 to raise money for the Help for Heroes charity.
Party goers can explore the entire castle and tuck into a curry feast and creperie.
There’ll be a live jazz band followed by a disco in the castle's grand ballroom.
One of the organisers, Lucy McClymont, has a relative in the Afghan war.
She said: “It was not until a family member was injured in Afghanistan and treated at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine in Selly Oak National Health Service Trust Hospital in Birmingham that I realised how valuable the work of Help for Heroes is.”
It has donated more than £23 million to help servicemen and women since its conception.
Being raffled and auctioned on the night will be a pair of Andy Murray signed shorts, artwork signed by the Kaiser Chefs, and signed CDs from Tom Jones, Sting, and The Stereophonics, plus a host of other celebrity items.
Tickets cost £39 and include hot buffet, entertainment and mulled wine on arrival.
Tickets can be purchased by phoning 01496 860296.
POSTED: 06/02/2010 14:00:00
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