Veteran Mandy Small has hailed Armed Forces charity Ssafa, telling GB News that the organisation has not only been "life changing", but has "saved her life".GB News reporter Charlie Peters joined Small alongside many Armed Forces personnel for the Ssafa 13 Bridges Challenge, a fundraising walk along the banks of the River Thames.FULL STORY HERE.
00:00I'm especially glad to be joined by Mandy this morning. Mandy with me here. How are you finding the challenge so far, Mandy?
00:05It's alright so far because it's not too hot.
00:08Yeah, that's a tremendous relief. And you're a veteran yourself but also a beneficiary of SAFA, Mandy.
00:13I am, yeah. I served 12 years in the Royal Air Force and then SAFA supported myself and my son when my husband took his own life.
00:22It's a tremendously sad story. Your husband, Chris, himself a veteran suffering from PTSD after a tour in Afghanistan.
00:28Yeah, I mean, he suffered for a long time. So in 21 years, he did 15 tours. So I think everything compounded. But SAFA were fantastic.
00:40And it's that support, isn't it? Giving people the guidance that they need and coming together and helping people at their hardest time.
00:46That SAFA and other armed forces charities really make a difference.
00:49They really do. I mean, the support we got, it wasn't just life changing, it was life saving, which was so important at the time.
00:58And SAFA, they were strong for me, which meant that I could be strong for our son.
01:03And your son now, 17, he must be so proud of his father's memory and your service as well.
01:09I think so. You know, we talk about his dad all the time. And it's very, very important that we keep his memory alive.
01:16So we're doing little things. So we've just got his name on a memorial wall at our local football club, which again is important because it shows Jamie that he'll always be remembered.
01:28So beautiful. I think our viewers and listeners will be so touched by that.
01:31And as you're completing this march today, these 10 miles, you just saw some of the cadets behind us now.
01:37What are you thinking about as you make that march?
01:40It's how many people come out to support the charity, which I think is so important.
01:44Because without all our supporters, without our volunteers, you know, SAFA can't exist.
01:49And SAFA are there when people need them the most. And that needs to be able to continue.
01:58So without things like this and everyone supporting us, it won't.
