Known to many in the Armed Forces community in Scotland and beyond, Veronica Young – or Vron to all – died on 5 June following breast cancer, which she had faced valiantly and with determination.
Vron, who lived in Moray, was a tireless supporter and champion of and fundraiser for military organisations, and was a caseworker for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity at the Moray Branch as well as the Chair of the RAF Leuchars Serving Community Team, beginning her voluntary work with the charity in 2007.
An RAF spouse, Vron was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2021, which she noted was the tenth anniversary of her father dying from cancer, and received treatment at Dr Gray’s Hospital, Elgin.
There was, however, nothing grey about Vron’s approach to dealing with the disease and her treatment for it.
Each chemo session saw Vron dress in the costume of a superhero, including Superwoman, Wonder Woman, Batgirl and Harley Quinn, and a seasonal elf at Christmas. She raised thousands of pounds for SSAFA, the Royal Air Force Association, Breast Cancer Awareness, Macmillan, and others with her dressing up.
As Vron wrote at the time:
“Dressing up for my chemo has provided a great distraction, both for me and others. You wouldn’t expect to see a Christmas elf, Batwoman or Superwoman anywhere in a hospital, let alone at a chemotherapy session!”
Kirsty Bushell, SSAFA’s National Vice Chairman and a friend of Vron’s, said:
“Vron was an absolute joy and inspiration as a leader, mentor to many, caseworker, friend, and family woman. She was hugely professional in her skills, knowledge and insight in the military family and constantly strove to improve and brighten the lives of those she cared so passionately about. Her service was exemplary, and we give thanks for all she gave and our condolences to her family.”
Another friend, and SSAFA’s Serving Community Development Manager, Charlotte Eadie, added:
“Vron was a much-valued volunteer for SSAFA’s Serving Community Team in Kinloss. She was always such an inspiring and positive person who really understood and cared about the needs of the serving community and did everything she could to support the Armed Forces in Scotland.
“Vron was also part of SSAFA’s Serving Community Development Group, a small group of SSAFA volunteers and staff who met to brainstorm ideas which helped shape SSAFA’s new Serving Community Teams.
“Even during Vron’s chemotherapy treatment, Vron demonstrated her positivity and commitment by raising funds charities, including for the Kinloss SCT, dressed as a different superhero character. She will be much missed and remembered fondly by us all.”
She was the recipient of the RAF Commander in Chief award in the 2009 June Queen’s Birthday Honours List for exceptional service both professional and voluntary to the RAF Leuchars service community, and six years later was awarded a British Empire Medal for her service.
Vron, who leaves behind a close family, was also awarded SSAFA’s highest honour, the Sir James Gildea Global Award for her extensive work with the charity. A keen singer, she performed with the RAF Leuchars station band Igneous Rock, and was a member of Leuchars Military Wives Choir.
SSAFA extends its condolences to her family and friends.
