Tony Rogers

Tony Rogers is a World War II veteran and Polish citizen who flew Lancasters, Spitfires and Wellingtons throughout the Second World War.

In 1990 Tony had a stroke that left him with limited mobility and unable to walk more than a few yards. This loss of independence was a tremendous blow and it was compounded when, sadly, his loving wife and principal carer died suddenly of a brain haemorrhage.

Feeling he had nowhere else to turn, Tony applied to us for assistance. We were able to provide him with an electric scooter, which has given him a whole new lease of life.

“I am so appreciative to the RAF Benevolent Fund for all the help given to me,” said Tony, “without my scooter I would be housebound – it is marvellous, marvellous, marvellous.”

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By 1969 we had allocated £60,000 in assistance to the bereaved families.

Originally scheduled for the 11^th July, the 90^th 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 nobody was able to jump.

Not to be daunted, many returned another time, including 83 year old Geoffrey Griffiths, who travelled all the way from East London on October 10^th. Fortunately the weather was good enough to jump, and Geoffrey finally got to take to the skies.

Geoffrey said:

“When we jumped, the ground looked like a very high resolution photo and it was incredibly noisy as we fell at about 100mph. Then there was a bang as the parachute opened, and suddenly it was totally silent, but now we could clearly see the hangar on our airfield, getting bigger and nearer. Finally our feet gently touched the grass, and we were back in the real world, the dream over.”

Thanks to everyone who jumped or has still to jump for their fantastic support!

Wing Commander Green has always been a good friend to the RAF Benevolent Fund, especially to our flagship care home, Princess Marina House. Andy has regularly spoken on behalf of the home at various charity fundraisers, including the 2008 Worthing Business Charity Lunch, and has given lectures about his world land speed records at the home itself, to help raise money for its ‘PMH Appeal’.

Andy lends his support to us in other areas as well, speaking at various public events, like the launch of Alan Coppin’s book, “Great Britons on Success”. He is pictured here at the book launch in the RAF Club, Piccadilly, in November 2008.

Some things have changed since Sir Thomas’ time. For example, we have expanded our charitable objects to include a new aim, which is to “enhance the morale and wellbeing of the serving RAF”.

Some things have not changed: assistance is still assessed through a rigorous and impartial process, ensuring that help is delivered where it is needed most.

Caroline’s mother had died of cancer only four months previously while Caroline was also caring for her father, so it was an extremely hard time for her. Juggling her responsibilities to job and family proved impossible, so Caroline left work, making do with what money she had.

Her two youngest daughters, Annie and Bobby, were both pursuing a career in dance, but Caroline was concerned about funding these ambitions with her limited resources. It was then that she approached the RAF Benevolent Fund.

We awarded a Fund Scholarship which allowed Annie to attend Dance College for three years. Then, in 2009 we issued a further grant towards Bobby’s education as a dance teacher.

Caroline said:

“I cannot describe the difference the help we received from the RAFBF has made. Thanks are not enough!”

Personnel from RAF St Mawgan in Cornwall invited representatives of the RAF Benevolent Fund to the Officers’ Mess on 16 April, to present a cheque for £1000. The donation, received on our behalf by beneficiary Robert Uren, was raised through a variety of activities throughout 2008.

Martin Henshaw, RAF Benevolent Fund Regional Director for Wales and the West of England said:

“I would like to thank all the personnel at RAF St Mawgan for their fantastic fundraising efforts. It’s particularly fitting that Robert should be here today to receive the cheque on behalf of the RAF Benevolent Fund, as his example shows how money donated to the charity can make a really positive difference to the lives of RAF family members.”

Bentley Priory, the RAF’s headquarters during the Battle of Britain and the spiritual home of RAF Fighter Command, became an RAF station for one more night on 22^nd September. The RAF Benevolent Fund transformed the venue to host a special gala dinner, attended by supporters of the charity and many senior RAF personnel, including guest of honour Chief of the Air Staff, ACM Sir Stephen Dalton. The Dinner was held to celebrate the 90^th anniversary of the RAF Benevolent Fund and to raise awareness of the services the charity provides to serving and former members of the RAF and their families.

The event, which saw a flypast and display by a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire, a performance by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, a multimedia presentation on the 90 year history of the RAF Benevolent Fund, and a special auction, was a tremendous success, raising £90,000 for the charity.