Fund supports SHAPE and Brunssum three-week summer activity camp for RAF children

The Fund provided a £10,000 Station Grant to support a three-week summer activity camp for children of RAF serving personnel based in Belgium and the Netherlands.

From 17 July to 4 August, a group of children of military serving personnel attended the Kings Camps Activity Camp at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium and Brunssum in the Netherlands.

The grant was used to cover the cost of the break for children of RAF personnel serving at these two locations.

This Activity Camp was arranged to ensure the children at these overseas bases would benefit from a similar scheme to the UK-based Airplay and Airbreaks programme.

Airplay is the Fund’s national youth work programme, which provides a safe and fun place for the children and young people of the RAF Family across 28 stations to learn and hang out with their friends.

The Kings Camps Activity Camp programme provides a screen-free, active and fun week, where children are grouped with others of a similar age, to participate in sports, learn new skills, make friends and develop confidence.

In feedback provided by SHAPE, an RAF parent of one of the children who attended the break, said: "My son really enjoyed his Kings Camp week, the staff were really friendly and there were plenty of activities to keep the kids engaged."

In feedback provided by Brunssum, another RAF parent said: "The staff were very professional and delivered a fun and friendly camp for kids. We were very impressed by the attitudes of the staff; they were friendly and fun with the kids which eased the tensions of our child.

"The facilities were well used and seemingly endless different forms of activities and games that our children really enjoyed. The swimming was a particular favourite."

Pete Ashcroft, Head of Community Welfare Programmes at the Fund said: "We were delighted to be able to support the children of RAF personnel posted to SHAPE. We understand the unique challenges faced by military children, especially when having to relocate so far from home. We were pleased to see so many RAF children come together for a week of fun, sports, and active games."

You can find out more about the Fund's Airplay programme here.