Adventure Island supports local service people

21 October 2022

Adventure Island in Southend on Sea hosted an event to support families who have a member in the armed forces. SSAFA co-ordinated the event and made sure everyone had a great time.

The iconic Adventure Island provided plenty of fun filled activities, enabling serving families to enjoy some time out with friends. Military and Navy families regularly find their loved one is called away for months at a time to serve their country. Whilst this is part of the job, it is also challenging for the family left behind. Treats, such as a day out at Adventure Island, are important to keep the home fires happily burning.

James Miller, Director of Adventure Island said: "We have a great affinity with the troops. My grandad was a Commando in the Second World War. We are acutely aware of the sacrifice service people make on our behaves. It is great that we can bring a smile to their families faces.”

325 people from military families attended the day out.

Michele Turner-Everett, Chair of the SSAFA Colchester Serving Community Team (SCT) said: “A chance meeting with Mr Miller and a conversation about serving soldiers ended up with the Colchester garrison being invited to Adventure Island. Thanks to Mr Miller’s kindness the families from the garrison got to spend a much-needed family day together. It also gave wives with children the chance to spend the day together while dad was on deployment, meaning they got to have fun and have something to tell their dad about that was different when he comes home.”

The Serving Community Team is a new initiative by SSAFA which is run in seven pilot areas around England and Wales.