SSAFA Fife

17/06/2026

Veteran & SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity beneficiary John, is to take part in the abseil challenge with his daughter, at the Kelpies, Falkirk, this weekend, 20th June. He wants to give back to the charity that supported him.

A Lanarkshire dad and Iraq veteran has spoken of how support from SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity helped him through some of his darkest days, when debt threatened to take over his life.

John McGuigan, 41, had always planned to join the Army. His dad and uncles had all served, so when he joined up aged 17 – having been an Army cadet from age 12 – it felt right.

Next came an eight-year career with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards before John took the decision to join civvy street.

With nearly a decade as a soldier under his belt, John had high hopes for his civilian career. But with difficulty finding secure work and managing bills, John soon found himself spending more than he had earned and his debt began to spiral.

“I didn’t even know what council tax was when I left the Army,” John said. “We were all weekend millionaires, and by the end of the week we were skint. The trouble was I carried that mentality across.”

Facing eviction from his Airdrie flat due to unpaid rent, and with his money worries beginning to impact his mental health, John realised he needed help and turned to SSAFA.

“For me it was an embarrassing situation – I believed that to ask for help was a sign of weakness – but SSAFA really held my hand,” he said. “All I needed was a fresh start.

“Without SSAFA’s help I would have dug a bigger hole for myself. It was like quicksand; SSAFA helped me get out of it and there was no going back.”

Now settled in Uddingston with his wife Stacey, dad-of-three John is on a mission to give back to the charity that helped him successfully rebuild his life.

John and daughter Sophie, 10, will take part in an epic abseil challenge at the Kelpies in Falkirk on 20 June, raising money to help SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity to support other Scotland veterans, serving personnel, and their families in their time of need.

To donate to John’s fundraising for SSAFA, visit John’s fundraising page: https://community.ssafa.org.uk/pf/john-mcguigan

To find out more and sign up to the Kelpies Aerial Experience, visit: ssafa.org.uk/the-kelpies

12/06/2026

How Veteran Kirk and family was supported by SSAFA in his time of need.

11/06/2026

05/06/2026

Celebrating our Volunteers

Congratulations to Jim Laughlin on the presentation of a SSAFA Scotland Regional Recognition Award.

"After 25 years in the Army and a second career in logistics, Jim did not want to sit idle, and decided to give back to the Service community and became a SSAFA volunteer caseworker in 2016. To his credit, he then stepped up to the additional volunteer roles of Branch Caseworker Manager and Branch Secretary in a period of process changes, the COVID pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. Throughout, his commitment and dedication has been extraordinary. As a caseworker, he met at least 5 clients on a weekly basis and supported those in need, providing non-judgemental, friendly advice, and emotional and financial support for as long as necessary. He often made return visits with urgent vouchers for essential food shopping or fuel meter top-ups. As Caseworker Manager, he has oversaw a 50% increase in client caseload with Fife becoming the busiest Branch across Scotland. He received client referrals, allocated to caseworkers, and in urgent cases, personally undertook additional casework. His enduring, selfless volunteer commitment has had a direct positive benefit to the Armed Forces community. To assist clients and to support the other caseworkers, he led and developed a Branch response to implement new working processes. During COVID, he inspired effective communications for clients and the volunteers, and adapted practices so that all could be continued. He constantly supported fellow caseworkers and has recruited, trained and mentored a new Branch Caseworker Manager and caseworkers. Due to his unstinting efforts, he is highly respected by the Service Charities, the local Council, Housing Associations, Citizens Advice and the NHS as the ‘go-to’ person. Although he has faced personal illness, he clearly has remained a fixed star of excellence whose enduring efforts have brought significant value to clients, beneficiaries and fellow Branch volunteers."

Pictured is Jim Laughlin receiving his award from Jim Leggat OBE Deputy Lieutenant, on behalf of SSAFA Fife Branch President, Robert Balfour, Lord Lieutenant of Fife.

04/06/2026

Celebrating the life George Givens

On Friday 15th May 2026, family, friends, colleagues and veterans, came together to celebrate the life of George Givens. Over 200 people were in attendance, giving him a memorable send off; all planned by George himself.
His wife and family were overwhelmed by the attendance, the messages received, and the high respect and popularity of George across Scotland and the UK.

George joined SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity as a caseworker in 2013 and had completed more than 200 cases before stepping up to be SSAFA Fife Branch Chair 6 years later. He supported innumerable serving personnel, veterans, and families in their time of need. George also took part in SSAFA fundraising events like the Kiltwalk, raising several thousands of pounds during his 13-year tenure.

Walter Gallacher, SSAFA’s Scotland Regional Chair and Convenor of the Scottish Resource Committee, said: “George was a dedicated and valued volunteer and as kind, thoughtful, and generous a person as you could hope to meet. He will be much missed within the SSAFA family and wider veteran community. George changed the lives of many for the better".

George requested that monies collected from his celebration service be shared with SSAFA Fife Branch and The Victoria Hospice, Kirkcaldy.

Pictured is Lynda Givens passing a donation of £450 to Jim Laughlin, friend, colleague, and fellow volunteer with SSAFA Fife Branch

Thank you George and RIP.

01/06/2026

"Fife Branch Volunteers, SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity were out and about on Saturday 30 May at Visit Dunfermline Bruce Festival.

This was an opportunity to chat, share stories and raise awareness with local families and the many visitors to the Bruce Festival, of the work of the local Fife Branch of SSAFA the Armed Forces charity and how we continue to provide trusted support to the Armed Forces community, veterans and their families, here in Fife, across Scotland and the UK. "Never Battle Alone"
A lot of engagement with visitors, veterans, families visiting the show. many stopping to chat and share family stories, and also how SSAFA had supported a family member.
Many badges, flags, bugs, bags, pens and planes were given out and built, given to
family visitors, and donations placed into SSAFA branch bucket.
Volunteers had the opportunity to explore the Festival, and view the many exhibits, markets , music and organised events throughout the day.

"We had a fantastic time at the Visit Dunfermline Bruce festival, and it was a superb opportunity to meet new friends, renew acquaintances, and generally raise the profile of SSAFA to a whole new audience."

Thank you to Penny & Jim Leggat, Ian Orr, Fife branch Chair, Michelle McConnell, Nicky Edwards & Andy Middlemiss, Perth & Kinross Branch.

Pictured : SSAFA volunteers ,
Malcolm Campbell & Queen Margaret, 4th Regt of Foot,
The Opening Parade with King Robert the Bruce, passing by the SSAFA tent.

01/06/2026

🎉 It’s Volunteers’ Week!

This week, we’re celebrating the incredible volunteers who give their time, compassion and dedication to support our Armed Forces community.

From offering a listening ear to providing practical support, SSAFA volunteers make a life-changing difference every single day.

Stay tuned as we shine a spotlight on our amazing volunteers all week long!

28/05/2026

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity Fife Branch will be at Visit Dunfermline Bruce festival on Saturday 30th May.
Come along and say hello to our volunteers, find us in the Community Arena.

22/05/2026

22 May 2026, 15 years after the end of operations in Iraq.

The 15th anniversary of the end of UK Armed Forces operations in Iraq: a statement:

Fifteen years on from the end of UK military operations in Iraq, we remember all who served, and we honour with particular gratitude those who did not return, those who were wounded in body or mind, and the families whose lives were changed forever by that service.

For many veterans and families, Iraq is not simply a matter of history. It remains a deeply personal chapter: demanding, complex and, for some, profoundly painful. That is why this anniversary should be marked not only with remembrance, but also with reflection and respect.

Those who served in Iraq were asked to operate in exceptionally difficult circumstances, and they did so with courage, professionalism and resolve. As someone whose own military career included operational service in Iraq, I know that anniversaries like this are about more than looking back. They are about recognising service, acknowledging sacrifice, and reaffirming our duty to those who live with the consequences long after the operation ends.

At SSAFA, we see that legacy each day. We see the quiet resilience of veterans. We see the strength of families who carried the burden of service during deployment and after homecoming. We see, too, the enduring bond that connects all who were part of that campaign.

The formal end of Operation TELIC on 22 May 2011 closed a significant chapter in recent British military history, but for many who served, and for those who loved them, its impact did not end there.

For some, the legacy of Iraq is one of pride in duty carried out under immense pressure. For others, it is marked by injury, bereavement, or the long road of transition to civilian life.

But for all, our message at SSAFA is clear: we remember that service, we honour that sacrifice, and we will continue to stand beside serving personnel, veterans and their families for as long as support is needed.

On this anniversary, we remember the past, but we also renew a promise: that the service and sacrifice of all those connected to Iraq will not be forgotten.

- Air Marshal (Ret'd) & SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity Chief Executive, Steve Shell