An Armed Forces welfare charity has been awarded a substantial grant from the National Lottery.

SSAFA (Soldiers’, Sailors’, Airmen and Families Association) Forces Help was given £450,000 from the Community Fund, which will be used to help improve the quality of life of ex-Service personnel and their families in need.

SSAFA Forces Help will use the money, which will arrive in the shape of £150,000 per annum over three years, to improve the training of more than 7,000 volunteers, and to develop new initiatives.

According to the charity, this windfall could be timely.

“This ‘new’ training will become all the more important if conflict breaks out over Iraq, where we have identified a need to provide a bereavement training package for our volunteers who may have to deal with families who have lost a family member or friend in hostile action,” a spokesman for SSAFA Forces Help said.

Chris Hughes-Johnston, Deputy Chief Executive of the charity, said: “We are very pleased with the substantial amount of money awarded to SSAFA Forces Help from the Community Fund.

“The extra freedom of action provided by the grant will allow us to ensure that what we are doing in the training field is relevant, efficient, appropriate and effective.

“It is the first time that such a large amount of money has been awarded to helping war veterans, and is certainly a step in the right direction.”

SSAFA Forces Help provides practical and emotional support to people and their families who have served at least one paid day in any of the Armed Forces and their Reserves.

Help ranges from welfare, social work, healthcare, housing, financial assistance and friendship.

The Association helps more than 75,000 people each year, and up to a quarter of the population may be eligible for assistance from the organisation.

More information is available on www.ssafa.org.uk