Veteran Mandy Small has hailed Armed Forces charity Ssafa, telling GB News that the organisation has not only been "life changing", but has "saved her life".

GB News reporter Charlie Peters joined Small alongside many Armed Forces personnel for the Ssafa 13 Bridges Challenge, a fundraising walk along the banks of the River Thames.

Small told the People's Channel about the support she received from the charity after losing her husband to suicide. Chris, who was also a veteran and served 15 tours of Afghanistan, suffered from PTSD.

She told Charlie: "I served 12 years in the Royal Air Force, and then Ssafa supported myself and my son when my husband took his own life.

Veteran Mandy Small praised the Ssafa charity for saving her life after losing her husband

"He suffered for a long time. In 21 years he did 15 tours, so I think everything compounded. But Ssafa are fantastic."

Highlighting how Armed Forces charities make a huge difference to veterans and their families in giving them the support they needs, Small added: "They really do make a difference. The support we got, it wasn't just life changing, it was life-saving, which was so important at the time.

"And Ssafa, they were strong for me, which meant that I could be strong for our son."

Asked by Charlie how she helps keep her late husband's memory alive for their now 17-year-old son Jamie, Small assured that they remember the "little things" that Chris did and make sure he will "always be remembered".

Charlie joined Armed Forces personnel and cadets as they embarked on the march

Small said: "So we're doing little things, we've got his name on a memorial wall at our local football club, which again, is important because it shows Jamie that he'll always be remembered."

Reflecting on her thought process whilst embarking on the 13 Bridges Challenge through London, Small told Charlie that it highlights the support that Ssafa offers so many people, and the significance of Armed Forces charities in Britain.

Small stated: "It's about how many people come out to support the charity, which I think is so important.

"Because without all our supporters, without our volunteers, Ssafa can't exist, and Ssafa are there when people need them the most.

Small told GB News that the charity would not be able to continue without the support it receives

She added: "And that needs to be able to continue. So without things like this and everyone supporting us, it won't."

National Chair of SSAFA Sir Simon Bollom told GB News of the "fantastic" turnout of this year's challenge, and how the charity ensures Armed Forces personnel feel "supported" and "not alone".

Bollom said: "It's fantastic, 1,200 people giving up their own time to walk for Ssafa, to raise money for the soldiers, sailors, airmen and families.

"It's a fantastic charity, 2,000 volunteers looking after service people, veterans and their families, people who have found themselves in difficult circumstances need our help, and we help them to be not alone and supported."