Military Memories: Military Memories is a anthology of poems written by the forces community. The poems illustrate the journey taken by those who join ... families’ lives and also the trauma we face.

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Sally Orange MBE has spent years campaigning and raising funds and awareness of the mental health challenges faced by veterans, serving personnel and reserves following her own battle with severe depression and chronic anxiety. She is tireless in her work and regularly runs marathons all over the world, often dressed as a piece of fruit. It was also a great privilege to be amongst such amazing veterans and supporters of the Armed Forces community. I feel very proud, and very humble.” My inspiration for this book also came from a poem I wrote for my brother’s funeral. Since it took place under Covid-19 restrictions, we were only allowed ten people, so it was streamed on the internet. SSAFA supported Gina and sourced funding to provide her with a new bike so she could continue to cycle following the death of her brother.

She said: “My bike and exercise is really important to me. I didn’t realise that it was a coping method to be honest. When I didn’t have it for those few weeks – I felt like my legs had been chopped off – I didn’t have an outlet.” This award honours a person who has overcome significant challenges, injury or disability, and whose ongoing or past outstanding achievements are an inspiration to others within the Armed Forces community. Gina won through a public vote.I was bleeding and in a lot of pain. My mum came and got me and took me to A&E, but thankfully I was only badly bruised and cut, narrowly avoiding some dislocated and broken bones. I was alright, but the bike wasn't. It was completely trashed. We are chuffed with what we have created so far and we are fortunate to have a number of organisations and businesses who have been there from the beginning and continue to support us each year moving forward. We have built a community around the events, so not only is there the awards evenings, but we include filming days, where the nominees get to tell their story, there are certificates for everyone nominated as everyone involved is a winner in our eyes and I know that is a well worn cliche, but it is true. We showcase them, we market them as winners, as far as their achievements go in the forces community, they are winners!”

Gina Allsop is an inspiration for fundraisers everywhere, but she has also overcome personal adversity to work so hard to ensure other’s have the help they need through the charity. The Winners will be chosen by our Independent Judging Panel. The Judging panels names and profiles will be released over the coming weeks.Gina said: “The poems illustrate the journey taken by those who join the Armed Forces, showing a lighter side to our families’ lives and the trauma we sometimes face. A path taken by many, told by so few. It’s a lifetime of memories shared in one little book.” Now I would say getting in touch with SSAFA is the best thing that's happened to me this year. I've never been given anything like that, ever, if I'm honest. It's something that happens to other people really." This award is generously sponsored by NatWest. NatWest serves customers in England and Wales, supporting them with their personal, private, and business banking needs. NatWest helps customers at all stages in their lives, from opening student accounts, to buying their first home, setting up a business, and saving for retirement.

The poetry book was also inspired by her brother’s funeral last year that was livestreamed online after Covid restrictions meant only 10 people could attend. This award honours a person who has overcome significant challenges, injury or disability, and whose ongoing or past outstanding achievements are an inspiration to others within the Armed Forces community. The winner of this award will be chosen through a public vote. Gina walked away from the accident with minor injuries, but her bike was written off in the accident. SSAFA supported Gina and sourced funding to provide her with a new bike so she could continue to cycle following the death of her brother. I started fundraising for SSAFA as I wanted to repay them for helping me during some of the most difficult times of my life. Obviously, I didn’t have to do this – I wanted to. I have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds now for military charities, but I will not stop being an advocate and raising money for SSAFA. Gina Allsop, 45, a Royal Signals veteran from Brighton, will donate profits from her book titled Military Memories to a number of military charities, including the SSAFA armed forces charity, who supported her through a “hard time”.Gina had been in a dreadful situation with the hit and run and then the death of her brother, and it was my pleasure to be able to help her in some way. I’m so glad to hear it’s made such an impact and I hope to continue to help other people like her in the future too. Sally holds multiple Guinness World Records and world firsts. She’s completed over 70 marathons, eight Ironman triathlons, the relentless cycle ‘Race Across America’, and has run the toughest footrace on earth. She’s also cycled the length of New Zealand, swum the English Channel relay and skied 250km across the Arctic circle!