Chantelle’s Story

Why your ongoing support is vital to the Armed Forces community

Chantelle Wynn was a proud wife to veteran Ryan, mum to Rosie and Daisy, and part of a military family she had always felt strong within.

“Ryan used to be laid back, nothing fazed him and he absolutely loved being a family man, whether it was playing football with the girls or going out as a family, we always used to have fun.”

Ever since she had known Ryan, he had been involved in the Territorial Army and loved serving in the military, following in his brother’s and father’s footsteps.

Chantelle Wynn and family

But on the 10th November 2015, everything changed

Ryan died after struggling with PTSD, and overnight Chantelle became a single parent, navigating unimaginable grief while trying to hold her family together. In the days and weeks that followed, she faced not only heartbreak, but isolation. There was no clear support. No guidance. No one to help her make sense of what had happened or what came next. Until she reached out to the Royal British Legion.

Chantelle holding up a picture of Ryan in service clothing

“For the first time, someone said: ‘Yes, we can help you.’”

Thanks to your support, we were there when it mattered most. Within weeks, a caseworker met with Chantelle and simply listened. That moment mattered more than anything.

Because when everything felt overwhelming— paperwork, the inquest, supporting her daughters, even facing their first Christmas without Ryan— she didn’t have to face it alone.

With the support of kind people like you, we were able to:

Help Chantelle navigate complex paperwork and access vital records
Connect her with legal guidance during the inquest
Provide emotional support when she had nowhere else to turn
Ensure her daughters received presents at Christmas
Deliver food hampers when everyday tasks felt impossible
Fund a much-needed family break, giving them space to begin healing

That holiday gave Chantelle and her daughters something they hadn’t felt in months: the chance to breathe, reconnect, and start making new memories together.

And the support didn’t stop there

Years later, we’re still by her side. Checking in, listening, and reminding her that help is always there. Because grief doesn’t follow a timeline, and neither should support.

Chantelle once believed the Legion was only there for veterans. Now she knows it’s there for their families too - families like hers, rebuilding after loss. And that’s only possible because of you.

“I hope others realise the Legion do a lot more than people know.”

Watch Chantelle’s story

Your support makes this possible

By being here today, you’re already part of that understanding. And by continuing your support, you help ensure that when another person or family reaches out, someone will be there to say: “We can help.”

Your generosity allows us to be here 365 days a year, offering lifelong support whenever it’s needed. Over the past year, that kindness helped us reach 22,507 households across 66 countries, provide 22,600 grants worth £11.8 million, support 1,548 families living with dementia, and secure £24.5 million in War Pensions awards for 733 people through tribunal representation.

You bring comfort, stability and hope to people across the Armed Forces community - not only in moments of crisis, but throughout their lives.

Because of you, families like Chantelle’s have the support they need on their hardest days - and together, we’re ensuring the Armed Forces community always has somewhere to turn.

Thank you for helping us be there for the Armed Forces community whenever they need us.