To mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day this year, RAF Benevolent Fund ambassadors went head-to-head with British Army veterans in a D-Day special episode of the BBC’s Bargain Hunt, due to be broadcast on Monday 3 June.
The anniversary special saw RAF veterans Dan Pelling and Mike Goody from West Sussex compete against British Army veterans to win the antique-themed competition.
In typical show format, Bargain Hunt’s Armed Forces contestants were challenged to buy antiques from shops and fairs and sell them at auction for a profit.
Dan Pelling, 44, and Mike Goody, 39, became ambassadors of the Fund following the support they received due to lifechanging injuries sustained in service.
Former Senior Aircraftsman Dan Pelling was involved in a serious hit and run accident whilst deployed to Italy, which left him paralysed from the chest down at the age of 20. In 2003, Dan became the Fund’s youngest Housing Trust occupant when he moved into a specially adapted bungalow to remain independent.
Former Senior Aircraftsman Mike Goody was on patrol with the RAF Regiment in Afghanistan in 2008 when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED). After two and a half years of painful rehabilitation, Mike took the difficult decision to have his leg amputated below the knee. The Fund supported Mike through his rehabilitation and with mental health support over the years.
Dan Pelling said:
“Bargain Hunt was amazing fun to be involved in. Everyone we met was so kind and enthusiastic. To be able to be part of the Bargain Hunt D-Day special as an Ambassador of the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund made it particularly memorable and meaningful and who knows, we may have even made a bit of money for the Fund!”
Mike Goody said:
“It was a really great couple of days filming for Bargain Hunt for the D-Day 80th special! Dan and I had a great time competing against the opposing Army veteran team. It’s super important that we take time to remember all those brave people involved and those who lost their lives in the process, on D-Day and subsequent days, months and years.
“We were also proud to promote the amazing work by the RAF Benevolent Fund all the way back then, to present day – I personally would have really struggled without the Fund’s assistance on multiple occasions since my injury in service.”
The RAF Benevolent Fund provides financial, emotional, and practical assistance to serving and retired RAF personnel and their families. This includes grants to help with financial difficulty, mental health support, Airplay youth clubs, and more.
The episode will air on BBC1’s Bargain Hunt on Monday 3 June at 12.15pm.
