RAF Honington serviceman takes on Newmarket Half Marathon to support RAF Family

On 31 May, RAF Serviceman Alan Ashley is taking on the Newmarket Half Marathon to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Sergeant Alan Ashley, 42, is currently based at RAF Honington, Suffolk, in the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Specialist Training Flight at the RAF Force Protection Centre. Alan has now been serving for 22 years.

He decided to take on the Newmarket Half Marathon as a fundraiser following the counselling support he received from the Fund last year for mental health challenges.

Alan said: “I was struggling with Post-Operational Stress in early 2025. Through the medical process I was referred to the RAF Benevolent Fund where I received several sessions of telephone counselling through their Listening and Counselling service. This helped me partially close some doors of my stress and put me in a better place. I am still receiving medical care for Post Operation Stress – which is likely PTSD.

“It means a lot to me to support and raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund knowing that I – and others – can always reach out to them and get support when it is needed.”

You can donate to support Alan’s fundraiser on JustGiving.