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The Prime Minister hosted a reception at Downing Street last night in honour of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help charity.

• Visit the SSAFA website
• Read the PM’s speech

During a speech at the reception Gordon Brown said that SSAFA could be more relevant today than it has been at any time in its 125 year history.

Mr Brown and his wife Sarah thanked SSAFA trustees and volunteers from around the UK for the help and support they provide for people who serve in the Armed Forces, or used to serve in the Armed forces, and their families.

The PM said:

“I know also the great work it’s doing in supporting mothers and their children in times of stress and difficulty and I know the great advice that is given to people and the friendship that is part of that.”

The Prime Minister also highlighted how SSAFA helps people in every part of the community:

“What you do, how you help the veterans, how you help the families, how you help everybody who’s involved is something that, as I said at the beginning, you should be incredibly proud of.”

The SSAFA has been operating since 1885 and has supported the families of UK servicemen and women on operations in Afghanistan and Iraq in recent years.

Tags: Afghanistan, Armed forces, Iraq, Servicemen, SSAFA, support