The RAF Association’s Charity Director, Rory O’Connor, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
Rory was given the award for his services to the Royal Air Force. A Royal Navy veteran, Rory joined the RAF Association in 2013 and has been instrumental in the growth of the charity’s welfare and wellbeing services, including the development of the Association’s volunteer community, which helps support over 4,000 RAF veterans and serving personnel every year, and the introduction of new services including the RAF Association’s Connections for Life service, as well as services to provide immediate financial help for those in crisis.
Under Rory’s leadership the RAF Association became the first and only military charity to train all casework volunteers to an externally accredited standard.
Rory said; “I’m incredibly privileged to have received the award. It came as a complete surprise and I was really overwhelmed when I received the news. Our achievements are a team effort, and I see this as recognition for the entire team. I’m incredibly fortunate to have a talented, committed staff team that supports a network of enthusiastic and passionate volunteers. I’d like to say thank you very much to each of them.”
Rory has also made a significant contribution to the wider military charity sector, serving as founding Chair of the Cobseo Safeguarding Committee and Chair of the Cobseo Casework Steering Group, where he has worked with partners from across the wider military charity sector to help improve the quality of the casework experience for beneficiaries and volunteers alike.
Rory’s citation says he has devoted his working life to the military, first during his service in the Royal Navy, and latterly in his dedicated work in support of serving and veteran personnel.
