For RAF veteran Bill Sannwald, the RAF Benevolent Fund’s holiday home ‘The Folly’ provided some much-needed time away with his family in a peaceful location.
Bill, 71, served in the RAF for 26 years as an Avionic Chief Technician. After hearing about the Fund’s holiday home ‘The Folly’ in RAF News, Bill and his wife Lilian quickly got in touch to book their break during summer 2025.
Bill said:
“We wanted to spend some quality time together as a family – our son, his partner and our grandson Theo came along, and it gave us a chance to really catch up and make some lovely memories.”
The Folly, located in Bridlington in Yorkshire, is a four-bedroom, four-bathroom accessible bungalow, only a 15-minute walk from the seaside.
Bill said:
“It is a beautiful place, and it was a privilege to stay there with my family. The property was perfect for us as a family – there was a large kitchen and two lounges which was ideal with our young grandson. There were also ample bedrooms and bathrooms which meant everyone had their privacy.
“The garden was lovely too – we had a great big garden with open bi-fold doors, so we were able to enjoy the outside and the inside.”
Bill and his family stayed at The Folly for a week and had something to do every day. Bill explained, “One of the highlights was when we took the train to Sewerby Hall – there was a zoo there which was great for Theo – he loved it, and it kept him entertained. There was also a local swimming pool and sports centre.”
Lillan added:
“The bungalow is situated in a very nice part of Bridlington – it’s a lovely walk into the town and great for children. It was very quiet and safe. There are lots of supermarkets close by and we had the best fish and chips we have ever had!”
Bill and Lillian are looking forward to booking their next trip away at the Folly. He said: “We’ve told all of our RAF friends about it and can’t wait to go again.”
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.
