The RAF Benevolent Fund partnered with South Ayrshire Council for the third year at the highly anticipated International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight on 5-6 September 2025.
The weekend event was attended by thousands of people on Ayr’s Low Green to watch a packed schedule of aircraft displays along Ayr seafront, including the iconic Lancaster bomber for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and headline displays from the RAF Typhoon and the Red Arrows.
Other displays included the Royal Navy Black Cats, the US Air Force C130J, as well as a flypast of the Royal Canadian Air Force CC130J.
Representatives from the RAF Benevolent Fund were available across the weekend in the festival village to share information about the practical, financial and emotional support available for the RAF Family.
The military village featured personnel from all three branches of the Armed Forces, offering visitors valuable insights into life in the military.
There was plenty of fun for all the family with funfair rides, activities including laser tag a climbing wall and axe throwing, a range of static exhibitions, children’s workshops, plus a variety of food and drinks vendors.
The RAF Falcons parachute display team landed in the middle of the green after falling from 4,000 feet and supporters of the Fund were able to get their teddy bears signed by the team!
Jane Bradley, Director of Communities and Transformation at South Ayrshire Council, said:
“We were proud to welcome back the RAF Benevolent Fund as the event charity partner for our airshow this year. The partnership between the Council and the Fund has gone from strength to strength after three years of working together at The International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight, and it was a pleasure to see RAF Benevolent Fund representatives on the Low Green last weekend, sharing the word about their fantastic work.”
Air Vice-Marshal Chris Elliot, Chief Executive of the RAF Benevolent Fund said:
“It was a privilege to return for a third consecutive year to The International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight, which once again proved to be an exceptional opportunity to engage with the local community.
“We were heartened by the continued enthusiasm and curiosity around our work, and we are deeply grateful to South Ayrshire Council for continuing our charity partnership. We’re proud of the strong relationship we’ve built and look forward to developing it even further in the future.”
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.
