It wasn't until her husband, Anthony, tragically passed away at Puckapunyal Army Base in 2019 at the age of 46 that she first got involved with Legacy.

"(Anthony) was in the army reserves for 29 and a half years, and he passed on defense land," Ms Hallam-Brook said.

"I think the first phone call from Legacy was probably within the first two weeks. There was just a caring nature that resonated for me.

"I always knew about legacy before that, but probably didn't have any idea about the impact that they would have on me and the kids during that time and still do."

READ MORE:

Ms Hallam-Brook credits Legacy with helping her and her children, Cory and Brea, transition to life without her husband.

"They are very special people. I have a great relationship with my legatee in Horsham," she said.

"The children and I have met several members of Legacy in Melbourne and deal with them regularly.

"You're not a number. They treat you with respect and they're just lovely people....they're like earth angels really, to meet these people at such an awful situation for us."

With Legacy unable to conduct its annual Legacy week fundraising drive, to Ms Hallam-Brook it's more important than ever to recognise the organisation's work.

"I would have been out helping sell some things with the ladies, but unfortunately all that was canceled," she said.

"All the money that's raised through Legacy funds and donation of things actually goes to supporting families in all different ways of support."

MORE NEWS:

One thing Ms Hallam-Brook wished more people realised was the breadth of the organisation.

Legacy currently supports 43,000 partners and children of veterans who gave their life or their health serving their country.

"It doesn't mean that you're an old person," she said.

"A lot of people have that perception that a veteran is an older person where basically it's anyone that's serving or has served...

"I was widowed at 42 and the next widow was 84.

"There are families with young children, and as more kids get older, Legacy can help them if they need help with university or they can help them with courses, anything like that...

"There are so many children, probably more so in city areas, that are supported.

"They're already helping with courses and camps now... we've been to Path of the Horse at Trentham. That's a fantastic place.

"It's equine therapy for people that have got post-traumatic stress disorder and things like that. A lot of veterans attend, but there was a family day.

"It's really opened my eyes to how they can help my children throughout their lives. They were 11 and 13 when Anthony died. They're now 13 and 16. (Legacy) will be in our lives for a long time."

OTHER NEWS:

Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms Hallam-Brook was touched by the support shown by those within the organisation.

"My legatee rings up and checks on our wellbeing," she said.

"My daughter had a couple of injuries, so she rang just to check up on us.

"Some of the legacy people still send information out to keep me connected, and I've spoken to a few people on the phone of late, with different questions.

"They're there when you need them.

"At the moment, because of COVID, things aren't as connected as what we will want it to be, but they're doing the best they can.

"Things are always happening in the background, even if I don't need a certain kind of support at a certain time.

"There's other families that would be going through similar situations."

Ultimately, Ms Hallam-Brook believes more people should be aware of the support Legacy provides to the families of servicemen and women.

"You have no idea about the kinds of support out there, until you're in a situation like we're in, where they come on board," she said.

"I look at the amount of people that we've met in the last two and a half years and if it wasn't, unfortunately for Anthony's death, we probably would never have touched on these things."

"I will never forget what they've done for us, ever."

Visit the Legacy website for more ways to donate.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: