“The Fund will go out of their way to help you – as they did for me and my husband”

For RAF veterans Mary and John Quick, from Prestwick, Scotland, the RAF Benevolent Fund became an important source of support when they reached out for help with damp in their bedroom. What began as assistance with essential housing repairs developed into mobility support, improving their overall quality of life.

Mary joined the RAF at just 17 and a half, completing her basic training in Hereford before serving at Prestwick in Air Traffic Control. It was during her service that she met her husband, John, who was serving in the RAF Police. Mary said: “I loved being in the RAF. I enjoyed all my time serving, and as a military spouse.” 

Mary’s own service lasted 18 months, whilst John went on to serve for ten years, including deployment to Kiribati, known as Christmas Island at the time, in the South Pacific. 

For Mary and John, the RAF was always about community. Mary said: “It depended on what camp you were on, but everyone looked after everyone else. When you were abroad, you leaned on each other more. The RAF was your family. If you needed someone to babysit, someone would always come.”

In later life, Mary and John began facing health and mobility challenges. Mary developed heart problems, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and walking difficulties. She said: “For the last couple of years I haven’t been able to walk to the top of the road without a stick. I’m only able to go short distances before I’m puffing and panting.” 
John lives with arthritis and high blood pressure, which has limited his ability to walk long distances.

Due to their health needs, the Fund provided them both with mobility scooters, as well as a stairlift, and a riser recliner chair for John, who was struggling to get out of his chair. Mary, who retired at the age of 77, also received support to access the disability allowance she was entitled to.

At the same time as ongoing health issues, serious damp began coming through the walls of their home. After contacting Citizens Advice for help, Mary was signposted to the RAF Benevolent Fund. She explained: “Once they found out I’d served in the RAF, it just snowballed.” 

In 2026, the Fund stepped in to support them, firstly by providing an Occupational Therapy assessment to determine the couple’s needs. The Fund supported them with a grant for essential damp repairs. Mary said: “It took away the stress of wondering how we could afford it. We’ve only got a limited pension coming in.”

Mary added: “I just cannot believe how fortunate we have been to receive this support. Everyone at the Fund has been so helpful and considerate, and they don’t even make you feel obliged. It’s been so positive for us in every way.” 

More than anything, the personal, one-to-one support has meant the most. “That’s a very big plus for me,” Mary said, adding: “The fact I can phone the Fund’s Welfare Support Executives if anything happens, and they’ll pick up and be there for us. We can get through to the Fund so easily and speak to someone about what we need.”

Now, Mary and John can get out and about again, with greater confidence and independence. Mary said: “John’s out on his scooter every day! It’s eased so much of the strain and pressure.”

Mary and John are regular attendees of The International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight, held annually on Low Green, at Ayr shorefront. Mary said: “We think it’s a great event for the community. We love it; we bring our grandchildren to watch the displays and enjoy the entertainment. Last year, we watched all the big planes fly into Prestwick airport as we live nearby!”

The Fund returns to Ayr this year for the fourth year as charity partner at the event. The Fund’s welfare team will be available across the weekend to discuss the range of practical, financial and emotional support available to serving and former personnel and their families – as well as the opportunity to give back to enable further support for the RAF Family.

For anyone considering reaching out to the Fund, at the Ayr Show, or any other time, Mary said: “Just try. You don’t know the support that could be available to you. The Fund will go out of their way to help you.”