SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity

Steve is running the London Marathon for SSAFA (Soldiers Sailors Airmen and Families Association).

Steve Boyle

Steve Boyle

My Story

As a current serving member of HM Forces, this year I've decided to run the London Marathon and support SSAFA, the UK's oldest national tri-service military charity.

On the face of it, I’d be the first person to concede that I’m not undertaking the greatest physical challenge in a super-saturated era of fundraising lunatics! Some have even suggested that to make it more challenging, I should carry some additional weight or run it backwards whilst eating a doughnut at every mile marker, but those who know me well will appreciate that every fibre of my rapidly deteriorating yoghurt body detests running, and that following a self-inflicted triple ankle break sustained on Christmas day, I’ve already made this leisurely bimble around London harder than it needs to be.

Joking aside, SSAFA will sit close to home for many and most of the people reading this will already understand and be aware of the great work the charity do. For those that don't, in short SSAFA provide support to both regular and reserve personnel (as well as their families) of those serving in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force, all of whom are entitled to lifelong support, no matter the length of service. Their help spans the Armed Forces community in several ways, mainly focusing on the provision of direct support to individuals in need of physical or emotional care. Addiction, relationship breakdown, debt, homelessness, post-traumatic stress, depression and disability are all common issues that can affect our Service Personnel.

I'm extremely conscious that people right across society will be feeling pressures associated to the cost of living crisis and I'd be the first person to concede that I have less disposable income than 12 months ago but anything you can donate to support this very worthy charity, is very much appreciated.

112%

Funded

  • Target
    £2,500
  • Raised so far
    £2,800
  • Number of donors
    90

My Story

As a current serving member of HM Forces, this year I've decided to run the London Marathon and support SSAFA, the UK's oldest national tri-service military charity.

On the face of it, I’d be the first person to concede that I’m not undertaking the greatest physical challenge in a super-saturated era of fundraising lunatics! Some have even suggested that to make it more challenging, I should carry some additional weight or run it backwards whilst eating a doughnut at every mile marker, but those who know me well will appreciate that every fibre of my rapidly deteriorating yoghurt body detests running, and that following a self-inflicted triple ankle break sustained on Christmas day, I’ve already made this leisurely bimble around London harder than it needs to be.

Joking aside, SSAFA will sit close to home for many and most of the people reading this will already understand and be aware of the great work the charity do. For those that don't, in short SSAFA provide support to both regular and reserve personnel (as well as their families) of those serving in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force, all of whom are entitled to lifelong support, no matter the length of service. Their help spans the Armed Forces community in several ways, mainly focusing on the provision of direct support to individuals in need of physical or emotional care. Addiction, relationship breakdown, debt, homelessness, post-traumatic stress, depression and disability are all common issues that can affect our Service Personnel.

I'm extremely conscious that people right across society will be feeling pressures associated to the cost of living crisis and I'd be the first person to concede that I have less disposable income than 12 months ago but anything you can donate to support this very worthy charity, is very much appreciated.