Fund provides festive cheer for veterans across RAF Stations

Throughout December, RAF stations across the country have marked the festive season with a range of Christmas lunches, activities, and hamper deliveries for veterans, supported by the RAF Benevolent Fund.

The Fund awarded grants of £500 to RAF stations nationwide to help host Christmas dinners and deliver hampers to veterans. These events provided an opportunity for veterans to reconnect, share memories, and enjoy festive hospitality.

RAF Cranwell welcomed 47 Lincolnshire veterans to the York House Officers’ Mess, where guests were greeted with Christmas songs from a singer on arrival and treated to a three-course lunch. A local school choir performed carols after lunch, followed by games of bingo to conclude the afternoon.

One veteran who attended RAF Cranwell’s event said: "This event is one of my highlights of Christmas as I get the opportunity to meet with old friends and those who served like me."

At RAF Lossiemouth, dozens of local veterans were also invited to enjoy a Christmas dinner.

Officer Commanding Base Support Wing at RAF Lossiemouth, Wing Commander Andrea Dowds, said: "It was lovely to see so many local veterans of all ages and from the three Services attend this event. As ever, the support was fantastic from ‘Team Lossie’ and from the wider charity and industry partners. I’d like to give a special thanks to the RAF Benevolent Fund without whom events like this would not have been possible. It was another great success and a brilliant opportunity to hear stories and share tales between those that have served and those that continue to do so!"

Serving personnel at RAF Fylingdales also took time out of their busy schedules to serve Christmas dinner to veterans in North Yorkshire.

Wing Commander Toby Steward, Station Commander at RAF Fylingdales, said: "You don’t move on from service – you carry it with you, and so do we. It was fantastic to welcome back our veterans, and I’m very grateful to the RAF Benevolent Fund for sponsoring the lunch and helping us look after our RAF Family."

Veterans at RAF Brize Norton were similarly welcomed for a festive lunch. One attendee said: "Sometimes people don’t know what this means for us it is nice to be involved. We had a lovely lunch, and everyone was so nice it reminds us we are still thought of."

Irene Greenwood, Welfare Programmes Manager at the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: "Christmas can be a challenging period for some members of the RAF Family, especially those facing loneliness or social isolation. That’s why we’re so pleased to have supported RAF stations grants towards veteran Christmas dinners and hampers. Even a small gesture like this can reassure them that they’re remembered and remain an important part of the wider RAF Family."