On 13 June 2023, The RAF Red Arrows will take on Man V Fat Lincoln FC in a charity football match at The Keith Alexander Football Centre in Cherry Willingham. The Red Arrows will be playing to raise money for the RAF’s leading welfare charity, the RAF Benevolent Fund.
The Red Arrows football team is comprised of players from the RAF Red Arrows ground support staff, military engineers known as ‘The Blues’, operations staff, logistic suppliers, and every other ground trade that support the safe operations of The Red Arrows to keep the team flying and displaying in the UK and across the globe.
Lincoln Man Vs Fat FC is a team of players who take part in the Man Vs Fat Football Challenge; a 7-a-side league that promotes healthy weight loss through football. Having formed an 11-a-side team in 2021, the team now has a 1st and development team and takes part in the Eastern League MVF 11-a-side competition and the national MVF cup. To date the team has raised more than £3000 for local community charities and causes.
In the build up to the match both teams have been taking part in various charity challenges including a charity auction. Lincoln Man Vs Fat FC will be raising money for LIVES, who support medical emergencies in Lincolnshire.
Corporal Finlay Hanslip, 36, based in Lincoln, has been serving in the RAF for 14 years. Playing for Lincoln MvF FC for the past two years, Corporal Hanslip has taken part in several charity matches. He was asked to arrange a game against the Red Arrows, after the Lincoln team incorporated the Reds into their new kit design.
Corporal Hanslip has seen first-hand the work of the Fund and the impact on the serving members and their families. Whilst stationed at RAF Akrotiri in Greece, the Fund invested in welfare facilities and activities for children.
Speaking on the upcoming match, Corporal Hanslip said:
“I am most looking forward to the chance to bring together my football team and my work to support two fantastic charities.
“The RAF Benevolent Fund is a great charity that supports both serving and former serving member of the RAF and their families. I have seen the great impact they have on family welfare. My family have utilised several Airplay locations over the years at Valley, Aki and Boscombe Down. If I can help keep this going by raising some money for the Fund, it will be the least I can do for a charity that fortunately I have not needed any assistance from, but know that if one day I ever did, they would be there to support myself and my family.”
You can donate to support the RAF Benevolent Fund fundraiser here.
The RAF Benevolent Fund is the RAF’s leading welfare charity, providing practical, financial, and emotional support to RAF personnel, veterans, and their partners and dependants. If you know a member of the RAF Family in need, please go to rafbf.org to find out how the Fund could help.
