Service personnel, families and civilians took part in a 24-hr Squash Marathon at RAF Halton on 1st October 2009 to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund. The event, which saw those involved train, practice and play games all day and night, raised £650. A core [...]
Squadron Prints Ltd, run by Gill Howie and Berry Vissers, recently produced “Northern Exposure - the RAF at work in Scotland”, a pictorial work about the RAF in twenty-first century Scotland. All proceeds of the book go to the RAF Benevolent Fund. Squadron Prints are staunch supporters [...]
Jacqui Thompson, the widow of an RAF Regiment Gunner killed in Afghanistan, successfully scaled Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund. Jacqui, 43, from Sherwood, Nottingham, took on the challenge to honour the memory of her husband, SAC Gary Thompson, and to [...]
Celebrities and photographers from across the UK donated images to a special event at the RAF Club in Piccadilly on 14th May 2009. The RAFBF Photographic Auction saw images by photographers like Rankin and Tom Stoddart, celebrities like Bryan Adams, international aviation photographers and RAFBF [...]
The image of the Typhoon is by Philip Stevens, one of the many contributors to the Photographic Auction.
Jonathan Haward’s involvement with the RAF Benevolent Fund was triggered by the death of his brother in a Harrier crash, which occurred just after he had taken over as Station Commander at RAF Wittering. Jonathan said: “I was simply amazed at the response from the RAFBF and [...]
When David Mears died last year, his sister-in-law, Carol Taylor, organised a collection at his funeral for the RAF Benevolent Fund, because David had often said how he wished he’d carried on in the RAF after his Service in 1952-1957. “It seemed a good idea, so [...]
The Guinea Pig Club was formed in June 1941 by 39 aircrew patients of renowned plastic surgeon, Sir Archibald McIndoe, while they were undergoing reconstructive surgery for burn injuries sustained in their aircraft. “I left the RAF in 1945 with both legs amputated, third-degree burns, [...]
We enjoy a close partnership with the Shepherd Neame brewery through its “Spitfire Ale” brand, which it uses to raise awareness and funds for us wherever possible. The company first began working with us in 1990 when the Spitfire brand was conceived as a charity [...]
Originally scheduled for the 11th July, the 90th Anniversary Skydive was to have featured 90 supporters jumping in one day, raising money and awareness for the RAFBF. However, Netheravon Airfield, the venue for the event, was shrouded in terrible weather for the entire day, and [...]
The Red Arrows are helping to celebrate our 90th anniversary by dedicating their famous “Heart” manoeuvre to the RAF Benevolent Fund at all their 2009 air show displays. In addition, the Red Arrows generously donated a day at their base to meet the pilots and [...]
Scotland’s First Minister, The Rt Hon Alex Salmond MP/MSP, hosted a reception to mark the 90th anniversary of the RAF Benevolent Fund at Edinburgh Castle on 31 March. The theme of the event was “90 Years: Repaying the Debt we Owe”. Highlights of the event [...]
The attached image shows Alex Salmond with RAFBF Controller Sir Robert Wright, cutting the RAFBF's 90th anniversary cake at the charity's 2009 Edinburgh Castle reception.
Despite a busy day job at Marshalls Leasing, Chris Lavender finds time to both volunteer and fundraise at every opportunity for the RAF Benevolent Fund. Chris said: “I have really enjoyed supporting the RAF Benevolent Fund over the years, fundraising at air shows and organising events (including lunches and formal dinners). [...]
This year we are the official charity of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Squadron Leader Al Pinner MBE, Officer Commanding the BBMF, said: “The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is first and foremost here as a flying tribute, a lasting memorial to all those who [...]
Did you know: The BBMF has five Spitfires and two Hurricanes, but Fighter Command actually fielded more Hurricanes than Spitfires during the Battle of Britain.
We have always enjoyed a huge level of support from the RAF Cadet Force, and our 90th year is no exception. In 2009 cadets from both the Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force have set themselves a fundraising target of £90,000 for the [...]
The RAF Falcons, the UK’s premier military parachute display team, have nominated us as their Charity of the Year for 2010. Sgt Steve Spencer said: “The RAF Falcons are immensely proud to be supporting the RAF Benevolent Fund for the 2010 season, and look forward to promoting [...]
The Band of the RAF Regiment played a concert in October 2009 at Stirling University to celebrate the conclusion of two days of free music tutorials it ran for local schools. They raised £1,600 for the RAF Benevolent Fund in the process. The concert, part of [...]
Members of 43 (Gamecock) Fighter Squadron based at Leuchars raised an incredible £60,000 for the RAF Benevolent Fund by hosting a ‘Gamecock Invitational’ experience in 2008. Members of industry and commerce joined members of the squadron at the renowned Kingsbarns golf course, dined in superb surroundings [...]
Did you know: 43 Squadron's Hurricanes were credited with 60 'kills' during the Battle of Britain.
Wing Commander Andy Green is the current holder of the World Land Speed Record, and the first person to break the sound barrier on land. He is also the holder of the World Diesel Land Speed Record. Wing Commander Green has always been a good friend [...]
Seven engineers from RAF Cottesmore and RAF Wittering set out on a testing cycling challenge in September, riding from Lands End to John O’Groats in only nine days. The team, many of whom toured Afghanistan with the RAF’s Harrier force, raised money for the RAF [...]
The RAF Sailing Association celebrated the second year of its partnership with the RAF Benevolent Fund by taking 3rd place in its class at this year’s Cowes Week regatta. The team’s J109 Yacht, “Red Arrow”, flew a new, specially branded spinnaker throughout the week, raising [...]
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