Haverfordwest couple’s 56 years of charitable work for military community recognised

Lieutenant Commander David Griggs (RN Ret’d) and his wife, Valerie have a combined voluntary service of 56 years with SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, and have been awarded Honorary Lifetime Membership of the Association for “… their exemplary contributions, commitment, and loyalty”.

The citation also notes: “This is a fantastic legacy for David and Valerie to leave and will be something SSAFA will always be thankful for.”

David and Valerie joined SSAFA in 1995 as caseworkers for the Dyfed branch.

David took on various roles within the branch before becoming Regional Representative Wales in 2008 and an ex-officio Trustee and member of Council, where he represented and promoted the interests of the branches in Wales.

He retired as both Regional Representative and as a Trustee in December 2014, but he continued to volunteer, and was Vice Chair of SSAFA Dyfed in 2016 and then the Chair from 2017 until 2020. He then continued as the Branch Vice Chair until 2020 before taking up the role of Branch Chair again until February 2023 when he retired as a volunteer.

Valerie has held various positions including Divisional Secretary, Branch Secretary, Branch Training Organisers, Branch IT Co-ordinator, Branch Assistant Secretary, and is currently a helper.

Also included in their citation is: “During their half-century of volunteering, David and Valerie have made an invaluable impact in the leadership and development of the branch, supporting and mentoring hundreds of volunteers over the years. They led the branch through many changes including a vast branch merger forming the biggest branch in Wales, SSAFA South West Wales, while bringing change to the lives of so many in the local Armed Forces community.”

For more information – including how to volunteer, fundraise, or to access support – visit ssafa.org.uk/south-west-wales.