Club member Graham Meacher gave an informative talk about the work of  SSAFA.

The Soldiers Sailors, Airmen and Families Association is the national charity helping and supporting those who serve in our armed forces, those who used to serve and the families of both. Having retired from the armed forces himself, Graham is now a volunteer with the Fife Branch of SSAFA. He spoke of the organisation needed to provide practical, financial and emotional support for people and of the very broad range of help that such support involves.

 Dating from 1885 the organisation is now based around the world on forces bases and in fields of conflict as well as at home. Perhaps some 10 million people are currently eligible for help if needed, with 45,618 cases being actively supported and £18.5 million of financial assistance provided.

Help includes providing homes, help in coping with civilian life, debt counselling, coping with bereavement and with physical and emotional trauma – as well as the full range of social difficulties we see in our civilian societies today.

Graham’s talk made clear the astonishing scope of the work of this organisation, but especially that there is enormous emphasis on families – it is a ‘community’.

A vote of thanks was proposed by rotarian Eric Dewhirst. 

To learn more about SSAFA go to (www.ssafa.org.uk)