SSAFA Tyne & Wear Branch

09/06/2026

🥊 ALWAYS PUNCHING ABOVE OUR WEIGHT 🥊

SSAFA Tyne and Wear Branch was delighted to receive a fantastic donation of £3,000 following the success of the recent 'Final Bell' Flatsnout boxing event.

The cheque was presented by RAF veteran Paul Fiske of Flatsnout Boxing Club, whose dedication and support have helped raise thousands of pounds of vital funds over the years for serving personnel, veterans and military families in our local community.

The event marked Paul’s final fundraising endeavour with Flatsnout Boxing, making this generous donation particularly special. Through boxing, community spirit and charitable fundraising, Paul has brought people together while making a real difference to others.

In recognition of his outstanding support, representatives from SSAFA were proud to present Paul with a SSAFA shield as a token of our appreciation.

A huge thank you to Paul, Flat Snout Boxing Club and everyone who supported the event. Your generosity will help us continue supporting members of the Armed Forces community when they need us most.

💙 Together, we’re making a difference 💙

29/05/2026

A brilliant result for SSAFA Tyne & Wear branch, which benefited from a significant donation thanks to the auction of two highly sought-after Tyne Bridge rivets.

The rivets, salvaged during the landmark restoration of the iconic bridge, were donated by ESH Construction and attracted significant interest at auction, helping to raise valuable funds to support serving personnel, veterans and military families across the region.

Special thanks to Branch Chair Chris Tearney, whose persistence and local connections helped secure the rivets for the branch.

The Tyne Bridge holds a special place in the hearts of people across the North East, and these historic rivets capture that shared sense of identity, resilience and pride perfectly – values that mirror those at the heart of SSAFA.

An outstanding achievement and a brilliant example of community connections being transformed into meaningful support for the Armed Forces family. A big thank you to everyone who helped make it happen.

24/04/2026

🎉 A very special 100th birthday celebration in Wallsend! 🎖️

Volunteers from SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, were honoured to visit Ronald at Eastside Gardens Care Home to help celebrate his incredible 100th birthday.

Ronald served with the Royal Artillery during the Second World War, including time in Burma and Normandy. Our Tyne and Wear Branch Chair Chris Tearney presented him with birthday cards from the branch and local supporters, thanking him for his remarkable service to our country

Fellow volunteers Graham Critchlow and Freddie Ogudo spent time chatting with Ronald and sharing a few laughs, while special visitors from 101 Regiment Royal Artillery, the Tyneside Scottish Association and the Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Colonel Varn Jassal TD DL, also joined the celebrations.

Chris Tearney said it was “a great honour and a real pleasure to visit Ronald and thank him for his service as he celebrated such a special milestone.”

Happy 100th birthday, Ronald — and thank you for your service from everyone at SSAFA Tyne and Wear! 💙

23/12/2025

🎄 SSAFA Tyne & Wear Branch has launched 'Operation Festive Spirit' - a hamper initiative delivering support and thanks to local veterans and their families this winter.

Volunteers assembled high-quality hampers, filled with essential food items, festive treats and winter wellbeing essentials. The hampers will be distributed by volunteers to veterans and their families identified as needing a little extra care and connection over the festive period.

Betty Grey, 84, was among the first to receive a hamper this year. She and her husband Billy, also 84, are supported by SSAFA. Billy served in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy as an aircraft handler.

Earlier, SSAFA stepped in when the couple were left without heating and hot water, arranging the installation of a new combi boiler. SSAFA volunteers continue to keep in regular contact with Betty and Billy, ensuring they remain safe, warm and well.

Betty (pictured) said: "We were so touched to receive the Christmas hamper. It was a real kindness and made us feel very looked after. Knowing that support is still there and that we're remembered means more than we can say."

Chris Tearney, Branch Chair for SSAFA Tyne & Wear, said: “Christmas can be a difficult time for many serving personnel and veterans who are facing all sorts of challenges. Operation Festive Spirit allows us to bring comfort and dignity to those who have served our country. We’re so grateful to all our supporters who are helping us make this happen.”

Linda Lilburn (pictured), Tyne and Wear events volunteer, and part of the 'hamper team', said: "Delivering the Christmas hampers is such a lovely thing to do. You can see straight away how much it means to people; it gives you that warm feeling knowing you've helped make someone's Christmas a little bit brighter. But also, it's a thank you to that person for their service to the nation, in whatever role they've played."

Graham Critchlow (pictured), Tyne and Wear events volunteer and part of the 'hamper team' said: "It was great to be involved in a project like this. It's good to know you're helping make Christmas that bit easier for someone while also saying thank you to them and their families for their service."

22/12/2025

🎄 SSAFA Tyne & Wear Branch launched 'Operation Festive Spirit' for 2025 - a festive hamper initiative delivering support and thanks to local veterans and their families this winter. Watch as we hear from one happy recipient, Betty Grey, 84.

30/10/2025

Tune-in to the BBC Radio 4 Appeal to find out from adventurer and former Royal Navy Reservist Ben Fogle how you can help SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity support our Armed Forces family, so they never battle alone.

Ben Fogle makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of SSAFA, the armed forces charity.

29/10/2025

🎄This Christmas, spread cheer with SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity's exclusive shop items! Browse the full collection now at https://ssaf.as/xmasshop25

10/10/2025

🎄This Christmas, spread cheer with SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity's exclusive cards, available from the SSAFA Shop now at https://ssaf.as/xmascards2025

Why you’ll love them?
• Printed in the UK using eco-friendly, sustainable materials
• Biodegradable, recyclable, compostable - kind to the planet!

[NB. A 30% branch discount is available to all SSAFA volunteers who are buying products that they intend to use to fundraise for SSAFA, please email [email protected] for details.]

19/03/2025

Thank you Flatsnout Boxing New, and everyone involved! Your support is appreciated so much!

11/03/2025

Thank you Flatsnout Boxing New 🙌🏽🥊🤩

🌟 Flatsnout Fight Night - March 8th 🌟What a fantastic night we had at Flatsnout Fight Night, filled with thrilling bouts and incredible displays of courage! We raised funds for SSAFA, the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmans, Families Association, and it was all for a great cause.From quality boxing to ...