02 January 2008
Saffron Building Society fights the good fight in Ware
The Hertfordshire branch of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help has scooped the 2007 Saffron Building Society Branch Donation Award for the town of Ware.
The £500 donation is designed to support worthy causes in the branch's area, in a push to empower local groups to help their own communities.
Charity Secretary, Major Peter Barlow said he was very grateful the Ware branch of the SSAFA had won the award.
"The SSAFA is committed to helping all generations of servicemen and women and their families in a variety of ways," he said. "We are part of a national network of offices staffed by paid personnel and highly-trained volunteers. Last year alone, the SSAFA helped over 50,000 people nationally."
Major Barlow said he would use the money to help raise the profile of the Ware branch, which would, in turn, enable more local people to benefit from SSAFA's services.
"SSAFA provides financial, practical and emotional support to anyone who is currently serving in the Armed Forces, or who has previously served in Korea, Suez, the Falklands and all Gulf Operations," he said. "Even a single day's service in any capacity in the Armed Forces means that a soldier, sailor or airman or woman, and their families can access our service. There are many people in Hertfordshire who could benefit from our free assistance, but not enough people know about us."
Ware Building Society, branch manager, Sharon Cassadie said everyone knew of, or was related to, someone in the Armed Forces.
"The legacy of our men and women in the Armed Forces is something we should always respect and be proud of. It seemed fitting that the Saffron Building Society, Ware branch donation should go to a cause that could be of so much assistance to so many servicemen and women and their families in the town of Ware and surrounding villages."
