SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been selected for this year’s prestigious BBC Radio 4 Appeal, which will be narrated by broadcaster, adventurer and writer Ben Fogle.
The nationwide broadcast will highlight SSAFA’s work supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families and will share the moving story of Dean, an ex-serviceman whose life was turned around thanks to the charity.
After leaving the Armed Forces, Dean struggled with his mental health and found himself homeless. With nowhere to turn, he reached out to SSAFA, who stepped in with practical, emotional, and financial support. The charity helped him secure stable housing, access specialist care, and rebuild his confidence for a better future with his young daughter.
Dean says:
“I’d been to war zones, but the biggest battle was at home – I felt worthless. I was broken. If it wasn’t for SSAFA, I wouldn’t be here.”
Ben Fogle will narrate Dean’s story and explain how SSAFA’s work changes lives. The BBC Radio 4 Appeal will give listeners the chance to hear Dean’s journey in full, while also learning about the thousands of others SSAFA supports every year — from young soldiers facing unexpected challenges to families coping with the demands of service life and older veterans in need of companionship and care.
Ben commented:
“Dean’s courage on the battlefield is unquestionable – but his bravery in admitting he needed help and reaching out to SSAFA is just as inspiring. It’s an honour to tell his story. I hope listeners will support this Appeal so more veterans like Dean can find their way back.”
Steve Shell, CEO of SSAFA, said:
“We are honoured that the BBC has selected SSAFA for this year’s Radio 4 Appeal. Dean’s story is a poignant reflection of the struggles faced by some of those in our Armed Forces community – and the transformative impact SSAFA can have when people reach out for help. It is terrific that Ben Fogle will narrate Dean’s journey and illuminate the vital support we provide. We hope this appeal inspires people to support us, so we can continue to be there for every veteran, serving member, and military family who needs us.
The BBC Radio 4 Appeal for SSAFA, presented by Ben Fogle, will be broadcast on 26 October at 7.53 and 9.25, and 30th October at 15.27 and available on BBC Sounds. Donations will provide vital welfare services for serving personnel, veterans, and their families across the UK.
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity has one aim: to make sure that our Armed Forces community never battle alone. It’s a trusted source of support for serving personnel, veterans, and their families in their time of need. In 2024, our trained teams of volunteers and employees helped nearly 55,000 people, including veterans, serving personnel (regulars and reserves) and their families. Since 1885, SSAFA has provided welfare and wellbeing assistance that is tailored to our Armed Forces community. We know about the unique demands of service life, whether in the UK or overseas, and we continue to meet the demand for support to enable the entire Armed Forces to thrive, to get through whatever challenges they face. At SSAFA, we understand that behind every uniform is a person. And we are here for that person and their family, any time they need us and in any way they need us.
More information can be found at ssafa.org.uk
Dean’s full case study is available here.
The BBC Radio 4 Appeal is a weekly programme giving charities a platform to share their work and seek donations.
To donate, just search online for: ‘BBC RADIO 4 APPEAL’ or you can call 0800 404 8144.
Or you can write a cheque to “SSAFA” and send it to Freepost BBC Radio 4 appeal.
