The Special Boat Service (SBS) is deployed at the forefront in the war against international terrorism and the operational intensity is unrelenting and unprecedented. Families, too, have to bear the burden of this hugely uncertain and demanding undertaking. The Special Boat Service Association (SBSA) has been in existence for the past 13 years to provide discreet welfare, physical and emotional support to serving and retired members of the SBS. Given the current operational tempo, the SBSA has an increasingly important role to play in supporting SBS members and their families. In 2011 we spent twice as much to improve the lives of the wounded and the bereaved as we did in 2010 and there is no reason to believe that this trend is likely to change in the near future. The current operational cycle results in the men of the SBS spending much more time deployed away from home than ever before and the SBSA are engaged in a number of initiatives to try and alleviate some of the pressures that SBS members and their families endure. In particular, our project to construct a much needed Families Centre is progressing well. Our aim is to provide a focal point that will become the heart of the SBS family community. We have also expanded our Bursary Scheme which was set up to help fund education and training opportunities for the children of those SBS men who have lost their lives in the service of our country.

Unfortunately, during the last 18 months the Service has suffered a number of fatalities and casualties. Three of those wounded have experienced life changing injuries and one young man in particular will require considerable assistance and full time care for the rest of his life. Long term injuries need long term solutions. The aspiration is to restore an individual to a quality of life that is sustainable ‘through life’ and we will always ensure that the care, facilities and accommodation our people require, and deserve, will be provided. Much of this support is being delivered through formal Service means, however, the SBSA fills a delta of need which raises that support to the level we believe is appropriate. Although the SBS has hitherto not suffered a catastrophic event of the same magnitude, the risks our young men face on a daily basis was brought home to us in August 2011 when a Chinook helicopter was brought down in Afghanistan with the loss of 38 of our brothers from the US Special Forces. Our hearts go out to the families devastated by this tragic event, which has only strengthened our resolve to generate sufficient resources to make sure we can adequately look after our people should a similar fate befall us. The men of the SBS are brave and patriotic, who, day after day, carry out vital tasks in the service of our country. They and their families make great sacrifices, they are very special individuals and the work they do is very special. Therefore, when they are in need, the level of care and support that they deserve is also very special and that is precisely what the SBSA has pledged to provide. We very much hope you will be able help us to do so.