4th March 2026
Sanctuary Supported Living
SSAFA volunteers Beverley Robb and Bob Walton with the cheque from Sanctuary Supported Living
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has received a £6,483 donation thanks to a coordinated fundraising effort by Sanctuary Supported Living’s retirement communities.
The donation was presented during a special event at Jazz Court retirement community in Scarborough, bringing together residents, staff and local SSAFA volunteers.
SSAFA was the fundraising charity of choice chosen by a group of retirement communities in Cambridgeshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Scarborough and Sheffield.
Four courageous members of staff (Natalie and Heather from Baskeyfield House in Stoke-on-Trent, alongside Samantha and Jenny from Ness Court in Cambridgeshire), showed incredible courage by taking on a 10,000-foot skydive.
Their daring leap raised an amazing £1,815 in support of SSAFA - but the fundraising efforts didn’t stop there. Residents, staff, and visitors also joined together across the group of retirement communities for fundraising activities including raffles, coffee mornings and cake sales and quizzes.
A special wartime-themed menu was also developed for Sanctuary’s open to the public ‘Taste’ restaurants, with a contribution from the proceeds donated to SSAFA.
The fundraising was led by Jazz Court’s Retirement Community Manager, Liz Jones-Hall, who said: “These efforts are a brilliant reminder of what we can achieve when we pull together, whether it’s jumping out of a plane or baking a cake.
“We’re incredibly proud to support SSAFA and the vital work it does for serving personnel, veterans and their families - especially as we have veterans living with us who have benefited from SSAFA."
“These efforts are a brilliant reminder of what we can achieve when we pull together."
Liz was joined by fellow retirement community manager Laura Sedgwick, from Lawley Bank Court in Telford, to present the donation to SSAFA North Yorkshire Treasurer Bob Walton and Community Engagement Volunteer Beverley Rob.
Bob said: “We are extremely grateful for this fantastic support. The funds raised will help SSAFA continue providing practical, emotional and financial assistance to members of the Armed Forces family across the North.”
Natalie Shaw, Chef Manager at Baskeyfield House, who did the skydive, added: “Standing at the door of the plane was nerve-wracking, but knowing we were raising money for SSAFA gave me the courage to take the leap. It’s an amazing charity that supports people who have given so much in service to our country.”
Veteran and Jazz Court resident Sandy Readman, 81, who received support from SSAFA while he was serving in the Green Howards (1st Battalion), said: "SSAFA helped get me home from a foreign tour when my father died. They paid for the flight and supported me through that. I'll be forever grateful. I'm proud to support them."
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, ensures that no member of the Armed Forces community battles alone. SSAFA volunteers have been helping the Armed Forces community – regulars and reserves, serving or retired - and their families since 1885. To volunteer or fundraise for SSAFA, or to seek support, search for “SSAFA near me”.
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