Branch Secretary awarded British Empire Medal for 30 years SSAFA service

08 January 2021

Sandra Staples has been recognised for 30 years of service to SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity with the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.

Sandra’s involvement with SSAFA began 30 years ago when her husband was stationed in Belgium and Sandra became a volunteer member of the In-Service committee providing support to serving personnel, veterans and their families in times of need.

She is now the Branch Secretary at SSAFA East Yorkshire but has held many roles from working for SSAFA’s RAF Personal Support and Social Work Service supporting families affected by the Gulf war to being the Volunteer Manager for SSAFA Lincolnshire.

Today, her amazing contributions to the welfare of the Armed Service community goes beyond the Branch: bringing together other East Yorkshire charities and tirelessly working with the local authority to increase action under the Armed Forces Covenant; developing with the Royal British Legion a leaflet setting out the work and contacts for both organisations, which is distributed by the local Care Quality Commission to GPs in Hull and the East Riding.

Sir Andrew Gregory, SSAFA Controller said: “SSAFA is extremely proud of the commitment of so many individuals to assist, whenever required, those serving in this Nation’s Armed Forces, veterans and their families. The recognition of some of the charity’s thousands of volunteers in The Queen’s New Year Honours is richly deserved; all in SSAFA congratulate them and thank them for their dedication and hard work.”