Charity
SSAFA provides lifelong support for our Forces and their families. Every year we give life-changing support to more than 50,000 people. Thanks to our supporters, we are able to extend a helping hand to our servicemen and women and their families, doing whatever it takes to meet their needs.
Please note Virgin Money Giving isn't responsible for the content fundraisers post on their pages, but if you see something you feel is offensive or inappropriate, please let us know and we'll look into it.
gavin milligan's fundraising page
"One Day's service. A Lifetime of Support"
Thank you for visiting my page.
I am running the 2012 Virgin London Marathon for TeamSSAFA in memory of Stuart Wright.
I grew up with Stuart's younger brother James who is one of my closest friends and who is like a brother to me. Stuart was someone who I looked up to immensely; he was everything that you expect a Royal Marine to be. When I started my own military service Stuart would always give me advice along with plenty of banter as well. I am very proud to have considered him a friend.
When Stuart was killed in Iraq in 2007 the affect on his family was devastating. SSAFA were there to help them through it. The aid they provide to our service personnel and their families is vital.
At a time when members of our armed forces are asked to put repeatedly put their welfare in jeopardy for the safety of our nation it is important we recognise and support charities like SSAFA and the help they provide.
Thanks again for visiting the page and any sponsorship provided is very much appreciated.
Please see below a letter from Bob Wright which tells the story much better than I could. Hopefully reading this will give you an insight into just some of the many things SSAFA do and inspire you to donate. If you have already sponsored me I would still suggest you read it, as it will show you just how worthwhile your contribution is:
July 26th 2007 our world stood still. Our first born Stuart had been killed in Iraq.
From then on everything that we did was in slow motion, every conversation was done as if underwater. Stuart had been a Royal Marine Commando and SSAFA (an organization that helps across the military, Soldier, Sailor & Airman Family Association) got involved and we were appointed the most incredible gentleman, in a wheelchair having lost one of his legs whilst serving as a Grenadier Guardsman in the Northern Ireland conflict, although disabled, to us, he was 10feet tall, our guardian angel was called Brian Lyons.
Brian helped with all the details of the funereal. A Bugler, and a Marine Chaplin were in attendance. Brian with the assistance of the Royal Marines and the Royal British Legion put together a full military funereal, attended by many members of the Special Forces and other agencies, they came from Afghanistan and Iraq some straight from the front line, such was their respect for our Son. Many lifelong friends, together with family totalled over 350.
Brian was there for us 24/7 literally. He arranged for a delightful lady, Diane Barker to meet with us, she was our local SSAFA rep, she guided us into Bereavement counselling, phoned and visited to always make sure we were coping, and was there if we needed any support..
Brian and Diane became firm friends of ours, and due to their care and advice we were able to take small steps back to normality, although nothing will ever be the same again..
I myself had been in the Grenadier Guards and had heard of SSAFA in my early days as a sprog (military speak for a raw recruit) I never realised what role they played. Their motto “Is one days service a lifetime of support” that is what we received and therefore have vowed to give back a little of what we can, to help other families in need – whatever their need.
Whilst writing this, we are eternally grateful for what Gavin is doing and wish that apart from being at the finishing line and making a donation we could do more. We must not forget to mention Abigale and Nick Lyons’s (no relation to Brian) who have raised thousands for the local SSAFA branch in memory of Stuart.
If you need the help of SSAFA they are only a phone call away. Big or small they have the know how to find the answer, through the vast network of “I know who I can ask or where I can get that information”
That is why I am involved with this great organization, they helped me and my family when we thought we would never function again.
I will mention, with a very sad heart that our dear friend Brian is no longer with us having passed away two years ago. A terrible loss for us but an even worse one for SSAFA. Men like Brian are a hard act to follow.
Once again thank you for all your efforts on Stuart’s behalf.
Bob Wright
Recent donors
|
Sharon Jenkins £10.00 25.04.12 well done gavin |
|
Aaron Ramsey (The Welsh Messi) £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 23.04.12 Well done Gavla, great cause too... been reading up on it, top stuff. |
|
Keith Malda £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 23.04.12 You're a hero mate! We'll do next years one in a wheelchair together. You can tow me and I'll be like a fat Marty McFly. |
|
Steve Maxwell £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 23.04.12 Well done Gav completing that Marathon mate. Look forward to hearing all about it. Steve & Family |
|
Jodes £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 21.04.12 Good luck Gav - amazing cause - thank you for makin me aware of it! X |
|
John Waller £20.00 21.04.12 Good Luck |
|
Sean £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 21.04.12 Smash it. Good luck. |
|
Chris Bryan £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 20.04.12 Great bloke running for a great cause. All the best of luck, Gav! |
|
marion sawyer £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 18.04.12 Good Luck. |
|
@goonerblock5 £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 18.04.12 All the best Gav; sure you'll be faster than Benayoun even after you hit the wall. |
|
Clare £5.00 (+ £1.25 giftaid) 18.04.12 Good luck arsenal family amazing cause to raise money for @clareadarea |
|
Bish. £30.00 18.04.12 All the Best Gav.......Gooner support. |
|
Veronica &Nigel £30.00 18.04.12 Good luck Gavin |
|
Mark Brown. £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 17.04.12 Good luck Gavin, very proud of you mate. I know you can do it. We will all be there to cheer you on. All the very best Mark Brown. |
|
Del Townshend £5.00 (+ £1.25 giftaid) 17.04.12 All the best Gavla |
|
Bobbie and Tony £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 16.04.12 Thankyou SSAFA for helping our darling friends Bob and Lizxx |
|
CockneyComic (James Fish) £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 16.04.12 Good luck mate. Be a Gunner...be a runner |
|
Victoria stedman £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 16.04.12 Good luck!! |
|
Chris Hayes £30.00 (+ £7.50 giftaid) 16.04.12 Thank you Gavin for running in Stuart's name, he was a brave cousin and is still missed. x |
|
Jane& mick £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 15.04.12 Thank you for remembering stuart a wonderful nephew x |
|
Julie, a friend of Bob & Liz £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 14.04.12 A fantastic charity you are running for Gavin and I wisk you luck. |
|
Sue, Unit 9 £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 11.04.12 Good luck. |
|
Shelley £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 05.04.12 Good Luck Gavin |
|
Steven Maxwell. £1.00 (+ £0.25 giftaid) 04.04.12 Good luck mate, love you loads, very proud of you. All the best STEVIE MAX. |
|
Mike Milne £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 04.04.12 |
