Volunteers from the Ayrshire branch of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity have been recognised at the VASA (Voluntary Action South Ayrshire) Awards 2024.
SSAFA volunteers receiving awards for their long service to the local Armed Forces’ community were:
- Graham Piggott, retired Chair for Ayrshire Branch, received the Lifetime Award for more than 15 years’ volunteering
- Keith Tulloch, Treasurer, also a recipient of the Lifetime Award
- Bob Whiteford, Caseworker, received a Gold Award for 10-15 years’ volunteering
Bob commented:
“I enjoy the casework side of SSAFA, helping those who have given part of their life to look after the country, and it’s only fitting that we should give back to help them.”
Describing his long life of volunteering with SSAFA – the UK’s oldest tri-service charity – Graham said:
“I look back on 23 years working within SSAFA with a mixture of pride tempered with humility; satisfaction tempered by occasional frustration; the knowledge of the wide range of benefits we have organised on behalf of our veterans and their families; and, most importantly a sense of well-being that is a direct consequence of the opportunity and privilege of working with our excellent and highly motivated volunteers throughout Scotland.”
SSAFA – in South Ayrshire, across Scotland, and in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the rest of the world – is always looking for new volunteers.
Military service or close experience of Armed Forces’ life is not essential, but dogged determination, a non-judgemental attitude, a sense of humour, and resilience are.
To learn more, search for “SSAFA volunteering” or visit ssafa.org.uk/volunteer-for-ssafa.
