A local volunteer based in Cyprus has received an BEM in HM The Queen’s Birthday Honours for her service to the Armed Forces community.
Christina Graham has been recognised in HM The Queen’s Birthday Honours for her lifetime commitment to the Armed Forces community.
Christina ‘Tina’ Graham has been working with SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity for over 35 years. In 1986, she opened a SSAFA office in Belize where her husband was posted at the time. Before this, Tina was in the Princess Marys’ Royal Air Force Nursing Service and left in 1973 with the rank of Flying Officer.
For two years, Tina spent a considerable amount of time supporting the troops in the three outlying camps, namely Holdfast, Rideau and Salamanca. Her office was in Airport Camp, Ladyville and she spent many hours in helicopters visiting the troops in the camp.
On her return to the UK in November 1988, Tina became a caseworker at SSAFA Warwickshire, as well as supporting as a midwife and Manager of a private wing at St. Cross Hospital in Rugby. She later moved to Cyprus in 2003, where she became a very active caseworker with the SSAFA Cyprus Branch and went on to become the Branch Secretary in 2010 and then the Branch Chairman in 2011.
Tina is solely responsible for the organisation of the branch’s main fundraising event, the SSAFA Golf Competition, held at the Joint Services Golf Club in Episkopi. The event has been run for 25 years and raises an average of 4000€ each year.
She is now the Regional Chair for SSAFA Overseas.
Sir Andrew Gregory, CEO at SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity said:
“On behalf of all at SSAFA, I would like to congratulate Christina on being awarded an BEM. Her tireless work and contribution to SSAFA over the past 35 years is greatly appreciated and we are grateful for her continued service.”
“Without the invaluable efforts of our supporters, SSAFA would not be able to provide the level of support that it does to those serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.”
“We are absolutely delighted that Christina’s hard work has been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen who we are extremely proud to have as the Patron of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, on Her Birthday Honours list.”
