For Dubbo mother of three Ann-Maree Chandler, getting by after the devastating death of her husband Judd wouldn't have been possible without the help of Legacy.

Judd was in the navy for seven-and-a-half-years before leaving to look after both Ann-Maree and their young children.

Six months after leaving the navy, Mr Chandler was diagnosed with a brain tumor and later died leaving the young family to make it on their own.

"I had always thought that Legacy was for older people," Mrs Chandler said.

"But it just makes you realise that with the world the way it is today, there are people my age out there who are suffering from loss" she said.

Mrs Chandler said the local branch of Legacy helped with bills and everyday duties to make it easier for her and the kids.

"It is really quite comforting to know that there are services out there that care," she said.

Legacy assists widows of deceased veterans who have served in a war or operational area, or whose death was occasioned by hazardous service or training for war.

They currently care for more than 122,000 widows Australia wide.

At present the Dubbo Division of Legacy is supporting 270 war widows and widows of ex-servicemen like Mrs Chandler.

Dubbo division chairman Bob Brown said the local organisation did everything possible to assist these widows.

"Whether it's paying bills, getting groceries or finding them affordable accommodation, we do everything that we can to make their life a little more cheery," he siad.

On September 2 a ceremony will be held at Dubbo's Victoria Park Cenotaph to mark the beginning of Legacy Week.

The Dubbo Air and Army Cadets will be selling Legacy badges to raise money for the organisation on Thursday and Friday, September 6 and 7.

For more information on how you can help visit Legacy's website www.legacy.com.au

anna.yeo@ruralpress.com