RAF Lossiemouth Officer takes on Edinburgh Marathon to support Fund

On Sunday 24 May, Warrant Officer Neil Mackie has marked his retirement from the RAF by taking on the Edinburgh Marathon in support of the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Neil joined the RAF in December 1988 as a Logistics Supplier and has served across Germany, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, with operational deployments including the Falkland Islands, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and Qatar.

Now based at RAF Lossiemouth, Neil sees first-hand how important welfare support is for serving personnel and their families, particularly when personnel are deployed at short notice. The Fund’s support on Station has helped to provide resources for children, young people and families, such as Ben’s Den soft play areas for infants, and the Fund’s flagship Airplay youth club programme, offering safe, supervised spaces and structured youth activities for 5–18-year-olds across RAF stations.

Neil said: “I have always been aware of the support the Fund has provided to the serving community, so I’m delighted to support the charity as I come up to the end of my RAF career.”

Although this will be his first road marathon, Neil is no stranger to endurance challenges. Alongside his wife Lorna, he has climbed 206 Munros and has recently completed several trail running and ultra-marathon events.

He added: “I am looking forward to the Edinburgh Marathon as there will be considerably more participants, giving a greater sense of togetherness and the encouragement from the onlookers to spur everyone on. Crossing the finish line at Edinburgh will give a great sense of achievement.

“Every donation, no matter how much, will make a difference to someone either serving, a veteran or family, who has found themselves needing the support of the RAF Benevolent Fund.”

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