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Fund receives £150K grant from the Wimbledon Foundation to support Airplay youth programme

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The RAF Benevolent Fund is delighted to announce that the Wimbledon Foundation has awarded a grant of £150,000 to support its Airplay youth programme over the next three years.

The funding will help sustain the Fund's flagship youth programme, enabling it to continue providing safe, inclusive and engaging activities for children and young people from RAF families, across 24 RAF stations, and online through Airplay Connect.

Airplay plays a vital role in supporting young people from serving RAF families, many of whom face the unique challenges that come with military life, including frequent changes of home, school, and friendship groups. Airplay provides continuity, stability and a sense of belonging, helping young people build confidence, resilience and lasting friendships.

According to the 2025 Airplay Annual Review, it found that 96% of members agree that Airplay has helped them to settle in when they have moved to a new station, as well as 96% of parents who feel that Airplay is helping their child to be more confident.

In 2025, Airplay delivered more than 6,944 hours of youth activities for RAF children and young people. The Fund invested over £1.3 million to ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality support throughout the year, with vital contributions from charitable trusts, foundations and individual donors helping to make this possible.

Sheila Brazil, Trust and Foundations Manager at the Fund, said: “We are deeply thankful to the Wimbledon Foundation for this generous grant and for their enduring commitment to the RAF Benevolent Fund. As a trusted and longstanding partner, they understand the challenges faced by RAF families, and this funding will help us to make a meaningful difference to the lives of RAF children and young people.”

Paige Murphy, Head of the Wimbledon Foundation, said: 
“We’re proud to continue our longstanding support of the RAF Benevolent Fund through this grant. Airplay provides an invaluable source of stability, friendship and opportunity for young people from RAF families, helping them navigate the unique challenges of military life. We are delighted that this funding will help ensure the programme can continue making such a positive impact over the next three years.”