Bereaved parents hit out at lack of support
BY STEPHEN STEWART s.stewart@dailyrecord.co.uk A MUM who lost her RAF airman son in a suspected suicide has slammed forces chiefs for cuts that have hit bereaved families.
Susan Fleeting’s boy Robert, 24, died at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire, in 2011.
The East Kilbride mum has written an open letter to defence bosses hitting out at cuts that mean bereaved families are left out of pocket when they try to access support.
Susan, 56, said: “As a family who have been affected by a death within the military, we have first-hand experience of the treatment families receive and the lack of support that is out there.”
A coroner in England ruled that Robert took his in his barracks.
But Susan and her husband Charles, 54, who is an Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders veteran, believe he was killed to cover up a botched initiation ceremony.
Susan said cuts within the Armed Forces charity SSAFA had taken their toll.
She added: “Sadly, we are own life fully aware of the lack of help that is out there for families after bereavement, especially with the cutbacks within SSAFA for bereavement groups, as well as the groups for injured personnel.
“Thankfully, SSAFA have reconsidered their position and re-instated the bereaved families support group, although SSAFA said if families could pay their own travel and hotel expenses, that would be helpful.
“Some families have not only lost their loved ones but, as a result, they have lost jobs and houses, so this help becomes unaffordable to them.
“People only get the help if they can afford it, alienating the most needy.”
SSAFA were contacted but declined to comment.