Rodney Falls - pledger story
“I’m proud to offer help and support to the RAF Family with my legacy gift.”
After serving 16 years in the RAF as a Catering Officer, Rodney Falls has remained closely connected to the RAF community long after leaving service. Having seen first hand the difference the RAF Benevolent Fund can make, he has chosen to leave a gift in his Will to help ensure that RAF personnel, veterans and their families continue to receive vital support in the years ahead.
I served in the RAF for 16 years as a Catering Officer and was stationed at Gan in the Maldives, the Falklands, and RAF Rheindahlen in Germany. Despite leaving the Service, I’ve still maintained a strong connection to the RAF community post-service. I first became aware of the RAF Benevolent Fund when I was in the RAF, but it was only after I left that I decided to start donating after receiving appeal letters in the post. I’ve been donating regularly ever since.
One story that stuck out was an RAF Sergeant who was injured in Afghanistan and received crucial aid from the RAF Benevolent Fund. Despite leaving the Service, I was still part of the RAF Family, and I wanted to help support fellow service personnel.
After donating for the past few years, I began to look at what else I could do. I was actually in the process of updating my Will and had received information from the RAF Benevolent Fund about leaving a gift. It was something I hadn’t thought of before. I know how dependent the charity is on Gifts in Wills, and I felt motivated to give in this way out of loyalty and respect to the RAF Family, as well as the pride I felt when I was serving. I’m proud to offer help and support to the RAF Family with my legacy gift.
I know that whilst times are changing, the demand for support from the Fund will always be needed, and I anticipate more ex-service people are going to need support as the population ages. With increasing strain on the NHS and social services in the future, I believe charities like the Fund will become even more crucial to help those in need – and I know that my legacy gift, alongside others, will help meet those growing needs.
The RAF sergeant who was injured in Afghanistan and received crucial aid from the RAF Benevolent Fund, which inspired me can be read here.
Have you been inspired?