A Vic-formation of two Spitfires and a Hurricane returned to the skies over London on 1 April to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force. Among the pilots taking off from Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, was Second World War Spitfire pilot Allan Scott, watched by another former RAF Second World War Spitfire pilot, Mary Ellis.
Known as a flying ace, 96-year-old Squadron Leader Allan Scott DFM returned to Biggin Hill, where he was posted in 1941 aged just 19 with 124 Squadron.
Read moreCarers who are part of the RAF Family now have a dedicated support package – thanks to the RAF Benevolent Fund.
The RAF’s leading welfare charity has launched the new service to reach out to unpaid carers who are looking after loved ones and may not realise that help is out there.
The package aims to provide respite, financial and practical support and includes the introduction of new welfare initiatives.
Read moreA major fundraising appeal has been launched by the Royal Air Force and its four main charities as part of the Royal Air Force’s centenary.
2018 marks the centenary of the Royal Air Force, and to celebrate there are a number of events taking place across the country, and abroad. Events include a touring display of aircraft from the past century in cities nationwide to a mass flypast in London, 100-day baton relay and the unveiling of new galleries at the RAF Museum.
Read moreLike so many of her generation, Rose doesn’t think her story is worth telling but the 101-year-old WAAF veteran is modestly underplaying her vital role in the D-Day landings and the two honours she received as a result. Here she tells her story…
I joined the RAF when I was 25, in 1941. My fiancé Wilf had been posted to the Middle East so I thought I’d better contribute to the war effort and hopefully get him home sooner!
During the Second World War there were only three trades open to women: MT drivers, cooks and barrage balloon operators.
Read moreRAF Chaplain, Padre Michael Chatfield has certainly gone the extra mile to raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund. Not only has he decided to run the race in a penguin outfit, he had to extend his time on the Falkland Islands to do it!
Padre Michael is usually found working at RAF Odiham, having been posted there in June 2016, but was deployed for a four-month tour in November. He has chosen to take some of his post-deployment leave on the Falklands so he can compete in the Stanley Marathon and fundraise for the RAF’s leading welfare charity.
Read moreFor Sgt Steve Lawrence joining the RAF had been a long held ambition – he’d been dreaming of a career as an Air Force engineer since the age of 14!
Now, aged 42, as he approaches his 23rd year in service, his dedication to his duty has been repaid by the RAF Benevolent Fund, repaying the debt we all owe to those who serve their country.
Read moreIn the first attempt of its kind, four RAF personnel will scale the 837 steps of London’s iconic Gherkin skyscraper 50 times, to match the height of the world’s tallest mountain Mount Everest.
Standing at 180m tall over 38 floors, The Gherkin, officially known as 30 St Mary’s Axe, will double up as the 8,848m high mountain in the gruelling 12-hour challenge, to raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund.
Read moreMarathon man Jon Ward dons his trainers for his 99th marathon out of 100 this weekend as he lines up to compete in the Scottish Borders Marathon.
Jon, a Corporal in the Royal Air Force, set himself the ambitious target of completing 100 official marathons, to mark the RAF centenary. This weekend will see him take on his 99th race, with his impressive challenge coming to an end in Gravesend on 1 April, 2018, 100 years to the day since the RAF was formed.
Read moreReading Force, the shared reading charity for all UK military families, is pleased to announce a pilot to roll out its activity in five RAF Benevolent Fund Ben Clubs, with a special launch at RAF High Wycombe Ben Club this week.
The Reading Force charity encourages military families to share books, whether at home together or separated by deployments or training – in which case books can be read over the phone, Skype or FaceTime.
Read moreFor former WRAF nurse Ann Simons of Peterborough, a secret mission to Dhofar in Oman, was so covert she had no idea her service meant she should be awarded a medal.
The honour came to light when Ann finally spilled the beans about the top secret trip to lifelong friend and former RAF colleague Squadron Leader Trishia Welsh, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training) branch. Trishia investigated further and discovered Ann should have been presented with the General Service Medal, with the Dhofar Clasp.
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