IMPACT REPORT 2024
For more than 105 years, the RAF Benevolent Fund has been supporting the RAF Family. We are a key partner in the Royal Air Force’s mission to look after its people during and after service, ensuring that this service is valued, recognised, and people are supported even when uniforms are eventually shed.
We are a national charity with international reach, delivering emotional, financial and practical support wherever and whenever it is needed. In 2024, recognising increasingly challenging times, our vital services and support continued to help those serving, families, veterans, and the bereaved, in 30 other countries. More than 64,000 people benefitted from our work.
Our support to the RAF Family in 2024
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
We gave support in its most immediate form, while also building longer-term resilience through mental wellbeing programmes and counselling.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Our welfare team provided mental health support to our veteran community to reduce social isolation and loneliness; and emotional assistance to serving personnel who required it, helping them to cope with the daily pressures of military life.
PRACTICAL SUPPORT
We continued to provide practical support for the RAF Family, including mobility equipment, housing adaptations and breaks away, increasing independence and improving quality of life.
WE REMEMBERED
2024 was a year of commemoration, gratitude, and renewed commitment to the RAF Family. It was a year that reminded us not only of the enduring legacy of service but also of the evolving needs of those who continue to serve, and those who have served before them. The Fund continues to serve as a pillar of strength for so many.
19,025
serving personnel and their families given individual support.
9,300
veterans, their families, and the bereaved given individual support.
64,876
members of the RAF Family supported.
WE WERE THERE FOR LUKE
Luke Delahunty joined the RAF Regiment in 1990 but at age 24, a life-changing motorcycle accident left him permanently paralysed. The Fund was there to support his transition into civilian life by providing grants to help him build a new future.
Luke said: “The Fund's support has helped me immensely over the years. I first found out about the charity when I signed up to the RAF and paid monthly into Service Days Pay Giving, but I never thought I'd be on the receiving end.”
You can read more about Luke's story in our 2024 Impact Report.
32,587
serving personnel and their families supported with community activities and events.
3,964
veterans, their families and the bereaved supported with community activities and events.
98%
of people said they were 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' by the support they received.
HOW WE HELPED THE OSLING FAMILY
We helped the Osling family with a financial grant towards occupational therapy for their son Nye, resulting in his diagnosis of autism, ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).
Laura said: “When Nye started nursery, he had a lot of violent outbursts, with no explanation of their causes.”
“I spoke with a friend of mine in the RAF and he suggested contacting the Fund for help, which I did, and was awarded a grant to cover the cost of an occupational therapist to do a full assessment.”
After an in-depth assessment, Nye was diagnosed with autism, ADHD and SPD. Laura can now provide Nye with the support he needs and deserves.
Read more about the Osling family's story in our 2024 Impact Report.
