“Everybody cares for each other on the Fund Group Breaks”

Brenda and Maureen have been friends for over 60 years and have shared a lifetime of experiences together. Now, as RAF widows, they continue to support each other, with the RAF Benevolent Fund providing vital connection, care, and comfort through its Group Friendship Breaks and community support.

Their friendship began more than six decades ago, when Maureen’s husband, David, was working as an ambulance driver and Brenda was nursing in the casualty ward. David and Brenda’s husband, Barrie, had both served in the RAF, and the two couples quickly formed a close bond that would last a lifetime.

Brenda said: “My husband Barrie did his national service plus a bit, so he became a regular in the RAF. He always, always loved his Air Force, his flying, his planes and his gliding.”

Maureen lost her husband over 20 years ago and the friends remained close. When Barrie’s health declined, Maureen was a key source of support for Brenda. “Maureen was at our house staying with us when Barrie had his first fall, which was the beginning of four years of really bad health and upset. She’s been such a support to me and was to Barrie too.”

Maureen shared: “It was fortunate that, because I was on my own, I was able to come up and stay with Brenda, especially at nights – which was the most difficult time when you're on your own and you're not sleeping. It was like we had a 24-hour care service between us. There’s nothing like a good friend.”

It was during Barrie’s illness that they first connected with the RAF Benevolent Fund and began receiving support from the Community Engagement team. Brenda said: “Nikki (Fund Community Engagement Worker) has just been a tower of strength. She’s been such a good friend and help, and I know that I could always phone her and ask her anything. I’m so grateful for it. The Fund is just a wonderful organisation, and I’m glad I’ve met Nikki.”

As RAF widows, Brenda and Maureen have since attended many social events organised by the Fund, alongside other widows and widowers, carers, and RAF veterans.

In June 2025, they were invited to join their first Group Friendship Break together in Hayling Island. Maureen said: “It’s very important for us to have a break together. We can relax, and it’s the camaraderie with other people that we enjoy. It’s nice to come away and be waited on.”

She added: “The people on the break have all been through their own tragedies and disappointments, such as looking after partners, so we can all talk about it now too. We help one another out.”

Brenda agreed: “It’s great to be with all these different people that we don’t know, but just able to relax and hear people’s stories. Everybody’s caring for each other – we’ve all gelled so well. You don’t realise, but it is like that – you feel everybody’s looking after each other.”