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.
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