Volunteers, staff, and partners of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, have been recognised for their exceptional dedication and service at the charity’s Annual Members’ Meeting, held on 10 July at the Victory Services Club in London.
Presented by SSAFA Vice President Kirsty Bushell, the Sir James Gildea Global Awards celebrate individuals and teams who have made outstanding contributions to the charity’s mission of supporting serving personnel, veterans, and their families.
This year’s awards highlighted the tireless work of SSAFA volunteers from across the UK, many with decades of service. Individual winners hailed from London, Surrey, Kent, Dorset, the West Midlands, Yorkshire, Devon, Wiltshire, Northumberland, RNAS Yeovilton, and Warwickshire. Team awards were also presented to SSAFA’s Wales Regional Office and the Derbyshire branch.
Support from across the military and civilian community
SSAFA also recognised its corporate partner Vistry Group – the UK’s leading mixed-tenure housebuilder – with the Prince Michael of Kent Award, after the organisation raised nearly £730,000 for the charity in 2024, more than double its original target.
A Vistry spokesperson said:
“We’re honoured to receive the Prince Michael of Kent Award. It reflects the passion and dedication of our teams in supporting the Armed Forces community. Many of our colleagues and customers have military connections, and this recognition means a great deal to all of us.”
Award-winners with lived experience
Among the staff recognised was Alex Swinard, SSAFA’s Regional Casework Manager for South West England. A former beneficiary of the charity, Alex supported her husband Ash – a Royal Marines Commando who lost his leg in Afghanistan in 2011 – before joining SSAFA professionally.
“Having been a beneficiary before joining the organisation has given me a unique perspective,” she said. “I know first-hand how life-changing SSAFA’s support can be, and that is what drives me every day.”
Victoria Conlaund, a SSAFA Community Children’s Nurse based in British Forces Cyprus, also received a staff award for her role in improving support services for military families overseas.
“Working with SSAFA has been the most rewarding chapter of my nursing career,” she said. “It’s a true privilege to support military families during their most vulnerable moments.”
Helping others transition to civilian life
Karen Porter, a volunteer with SSAFA’s Mentoring Service and employee at Landmarc, was also honoured for her work helping Armed Forces personnel transition into civilian life. In 2024 alone, the service supported over 1,500 individuals.
“Winning this award is incredibly humbling,” she said. “We volunteer because we care, not for recognition, so to be acknowledged in this way means the world.”
Celebrating community-led fundraising
The Sir James Gildea Global Award for Partnering was awarded to the organising committee of SSAFA’s 13 Bridges Challenge – an annual Armed Forces Day event that has raised more than £510,000 since it began and welcomed over 4,000 participants.
A spokesperson for the committee said:
“To see the event flourish over the years has been a matter of great pride to us all. As members of the Armed Forces or Forces families, we’re committed to helping this event grow even more over the coming years.”
SSAFA extended its congratulations to all recipients, recognising the vital role their work plays in supporting members of the Armed Forces community – from transitioning personnel and military families to veterans in need.
For more information on volunteering or supporting SSAFA’s work, visit www.ssafa.org.uk.
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