Fun in the sun for RAF Friends and Families Days

Each year the RAF Benevolent Fund supports RAF Station Friends and Families' Days, bringing serving personnel, their families and friends, together at RAF stations across the country. The Fund supports by contributing grants to the RAF stations to help facilitate these events each year.

This year, at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, the Friends and Families Day featured flying displays from aircraft including the Typhoon and Poseidon, alongside visiting historic aircraft such as the Spitfire and Hurricane.

There were also static aircraft displays, car exhibitions and a wide range of charity, community and trade stalls.

A special low-level Typhoon flypast over Moray helped mark the occasion for the wider local community and the Fund’s Ben Elephant mascot was there entertaining the crowds, meeting families, and posing for plenty of photographs.

Wing Commander Beverley Cartwright said: “It was great having the Fund at the RAF Lossiemouth Friends and Families Day, especially as this year they brought along Ben Elephant, who was a huge hit with the attendees who were very keen to have pictures taken with him.

“The support of the Fund is key to allowing us to put on events such as this and to have their presence on the day with a stall means that attendees can get to understand more about the role they play and the vital support they give to the RAF Family.”

At RAF Henlow, it was agreed that ‘HenFest’ was a super event and did an excellent job in bringing everyone together.

One family who now live off-base said: “When we moved into our own home, we hadn't realised how much we would miss the close-knit community of RAF life. Joining in with Henlow's events and activities has brought back that feeling of belonging. Thanks to the RAF Benevolent Fund's support of HenFest, we were able to catch up with old friends, make new memories and spend a fantastic day surrounded by our RAF family once again.”

At RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire, the Day was a resounding success and serving personnel, their families and friends decided to give back, by arranging a gate collection for Fund, raising over £1,800.

Flight Lieutenant Chris Kerrigan, who helped facilitate the day at RAF Leeming said: “After counting everything up, I’m delighted to share the total. An absolutely incredible amount from a gate collection. We are so grateful for everyone’s generosity and support.”