Leading military charity Poppyscotland is highlighting the support it provides to serving personnel, veterans and their families ahead of Armed Forces Day on Saturday, 27th June.
The charity will be taking part in events across Scotland and Renfrewshire as the annual day celebrates the Armed Forces community, including serving personnel, veterans, cadets and military families. It marks the end of Armed Forces Week, which began on Monday, 22nd June.
Poppyscotland said it provided support to almost 800 individuals and families last year. The charity offers help with financial support, housing, employment, mental health, mobility, dementia advice and other practical issues.
Among those supported were serving soldier Timoci Waqanibau and his wife, Titilia, who turned to the charity for help to reunite with their children after nearly two years apart.
After Timoci joined the British Army in 2019, the couple left their son and daughter in Fiji while they established a new life in Scotland. They kept in touch through daily video calls before contacting Poppyscotland for help.
The charity arranged visas, flights and travel support, allowing the children to travel to Scotland and meet their baby sister. The family were reunited in October.
Timoci said: “The children were so excited, screaming. We all cried. All we wanted was our babies all together, and thanks to Poppyscotland that dream has finally come true.”
Leanne Bonner, Head of Scotland at Poppyscotland, said: “Families like Timoci’s are at the heart of everything we do. No family should have to face challenges like these alone and with Poppyscotland’s support, they don’t have to.”
Headline photo: Timoci Waqanibau and his wife, Titilia, with their youngest daughter after the family was reunited in Scotland with support from Poppyscotland
Photo Credit: Poppyscotland
Photo: Timoci Waqanibau and his wife, Titilia, with their children after being reunited in Scotland following nearly two years apart, with support from Poppyscotland
Photo Credit: Poppyscotland