Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2010/January 2011 | Page 67

ssafa awards - social scene

Island Life - December 2010

Photo: Left: Andree Ball and Sue Giles organisers

SSAFA celebrate
their 125 years
of loyal support

Photo: Alan Titchmarsh

A dinner was held at the Yacht Haven

list is endless. It is a tribute to the 125

visited and there ages varied from nine

in Cowes to celebrate the 125 years of

organising committee of ladies who

years to 92 years.

service the organisation has given to

gave up their time to both surprise us

both serving and ex-service personnel.

with these wonderful ideas and tell the

year are to be distributed between

Island about SSAFA.

SSAFA Isle of Wight and Norton Homes,

This year a programme of events has

The funds raised in this special 125th

been organised all over the Island to

The Isle of Wight SSAFA campus,

which is a facility for familes. When

both raise the profile and raise funds

comprises St Vincent’s Home for ex

our seriously injured personnel are

for the excellent work the association

servicemen and women, 19 bungalows

flown from Afghanistan to Birmingham

does. There have been cake and coffee

for disabled servicemen and women and

hospital and then hopefully to

mornings; a talk on Princess Beatrice’s

the case working service. All of these

Headley Court, their families can have

wedding at Osborne 125 years ago;

are situated in Ryde.

somewhere to stay and have a “home

a literary gala beetle drive; a Church

The case working service is run and

from home” at this stressful time.

Service; Sundowner’s drinks supper and

staffed by volunteers. There are 15

There is also a counselling service for

“Learn to Dance” evening; bridge day;

caseworkers and four administrators

both adults and children.

chocolatier talk and lunch day - the

in the office. In 2009 130 clients were

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