14th August 2024
Sanctuary Scotland
We’re delighted to have donated £200,000 to support members of the Armed Forces community.
We presented the donation to representatives from SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, during an event at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
The donation follows Sanctuary’s acquisition of Johnnie Johnson Housing (JJH) in March 2024.
JJH was founded by decorated Second World War RAF pilot James Edgar ‘Johnnie’ Johnson, who many years ago left a legacy of £100,000 to JJH, stipulating that in the event of the organisation being acquired it should be passed on to SSAFA to support its work with the Armed Forces community.
That initial sum had accrued interest over time, and we have topped up the legacy to bring the total donation to SSAFA to £200,000.
Like JJH, Sanctuary has a long history of supporting veterans and members of the Armed Forces family. We signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2017 and are proud to have been awarded Silver status under the Defence Employers Scheme.
Craig Moule, Group Chief Executive, said: “Sanctuary is dedicated to supporting veterans and their families. We believe that those who have served our country deserve support as they move back into civilian life and plan for the future.
“In making this donation to support SSAFA with its vital work, it’s fitting that we remember the service and sacrifices made by our Armed Forces. I’d also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Johnnie Johnson for his extraordinary generosity.”
Kathryn Fox-Rogers, Managing Director of Johnnie Johnson Housing, commented: “It was a really special day, an occasion to be incredibly proud of and a fantastic way to mark JJH joining the Sanctuary Group.
“We are all exceptionally proud of this housing association and of Johnnie himself."
Representatives and residents from Sanctuary and JJH were joined at the event by the Controller of SSAFA, Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Gregory, Rayleigh and Wickford MP and former Armed Forces minister, Mark Francois, and Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Colonel David Leigh.
Sir Andrew said: “The wartime courage of Johnnie Johnson and his vision as he set up the housing association that bore his name and has helped thousands of veterans and their families over the years were both exceptional.
“His legacy will continue through this donation as it supports both serving and retired personnel and their families into the future. His generosity is matched by that of Sanctuary, which has increased the donation to SSAFA from its own funds very significantly.”
Mr Francois said: “As a former Armed Forces minister, I was delighted to be able to attend this very special event and notable milestone.
“This significant donation from both Johnnie Johnson and Sanctuary will make a tremendous difference to the lives of Armed Forces personnel up and down the country for years to come, and I am very pleased that the legacy of Johnnie Johnson lives on."
