WITH the 60th Anniversary of D-Day, I thought it would be appropriate and timely to remind you of your local Branch of SSAFA Forces Help - the Soldiers', Sailors', Airmen's and Families Association.

Sixty years ago this month, thousands of men (and, indeed, women) risked and, in many cases, gave their lives on the beaches of Normandy to save their country and their families from Nazi tyranny. Now many of these men and women, or their families may need help themselves and SSAFA Forces Help is there to provide that assistance.

SSAFA Forces Help exists to provide friendship, confidential advice and practical or financial assistance to anyone who has ever served in the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy, or is the dependant of someone who has. Our volunteers have a wealth of experience, covering a wide range of areas such as health and mobility or debt problems. We also assist with less complex issues.

A simple friendship visit, help with filling out tricky forms or merely obtaining a replacement cooker in an emergency can make a world of difference. Volunteers spend their time meeting ex-Service personnel and their families helping them to help themselves. In 2003, SSAFA Forces Help Volunteers helped over 70,000 people and raised £14 million towards their needs. The County of Merseyside branch raised over £400,000 of that sum to assist nearly 2000 people in this area.

Volunteers

Sadly, many of our volunteers are, themselves, reaching an age when they should be taking life easy, and we are seeking new Volunteers to take their places. If any of your readers would like to help us in any way, I would be delighted to hear from them. No Service background is necessary we provide full training and pay all expenses. Please call me on 0151 604 1205 at any time.

HARRY Fynn, County Executive Officer, SSAFA Forces Help.