"It was so relieving to have the Fund aware and understanding of what we were going through"

In March 2026, life changed in an instant for Amileigh and her young family. Just a few months after relocating to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus with her husband Ash and their three children, they found themselves caught up in a frightening security incident that led to them receiving emergency support from the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Ash, a Cyberspace Communications Specialist, is currently posted to Cyprus on a three-year assignment. Despite the challenges that come with moving overseas, the family had been settling into their new life and embracing the opportunities available to them.

On the night of 1 March 2026, everything changed. Amileigh said: "We went to bed as normal on Sunday evening and then got woken up at 11:50pm by air raid sirens going off. We knew it wasn’t a test; we knew it was serious."

Amileigh rushed to safety with her children as a drone strike attacked base. "We had to take urgent cover, run downstairs and get under the table with the boys and the baby. Then we heard the bang."

Amileigh continued: “The sirens were going off for three hours that night. There were jets flying around overhead to protect the camp from other attempts that night."

Like many families on the station, they waited anxiously for updates and instructions. "It was really scary, nobody expected it. We knew tensions were rising in the Middle East. We’d been informed and reassured that UK forces not involved.”

She added: "The sirens were making such a haunting noise, and it was just continuous. Everyone was panicking. We didn’t want to scare the boys, especially Archie who is seven years old and more aware, so we said it was an earthquake – which is quite common in Cyprus.”

During those frightening early hours, Amileigh contacted family back in the UK. "I sent a message to family back home to say we were under attack, as we didn’t know what the end result would be. It's a message that nobody should ever have send."

As the situation developed, families were moved to alternative accommodation, and schools were closed for several weeks.

Amileigh said: "I felt like I wasn’t ready to go back to camp as there were still threats."
Amileigh decided to take her children back to the UK, staying with her mother for two and a half weeks while the situation remained uncertain.

Unexpected costs quickly began to mount. Although support was available for some expenses, the family still faced significant financial pressure, including medical bills when their seven-year-old son Archie became ill.
Amileigh said: "Archie became poorly during the time and so we had unexpected hospital bills for his treatment.”

Having already paid many of the costs themselves and dipped into savings, Amileigh reached out to the RAF Benevolent Fund for support. The Fund provided a £500 grant to help ease the financial burden.
Amileigh said: "As soon as we rang the Fund, after a few days of being in the hotel, they were so empathetic and said let us know if we needed anything. I was really emotional on the phone. They were there with a listening ear and didn’t rush anything.

“It was so relieving to have the Fund aware and understanding of what we were going through. We were really stuck; we’re so incredibly grateful for the support we received."

During this difficult period, Amileigh found comfort in the emotional support offered by the Fund. "I rang because I was struggling – I was offered counselling and did a few sessions which really helped me."

When the family returned to Cyprus, it became clear that Archie was struggling. "Archie has been suffering since then. When we returned to camp he was being sick. He became terrified of normal aircraft overhead. He still speaks about the event."

Despite everything they have faced, the family are gradually rebuilding their routines and finding their feet in Cyprus. "I’m starting to feel more settled and everyone’s routines are in place. The kids have settled in brilliantly; they love the outdoors lifestyle and finishing school earlier. We also have a lot more family time.

"The grant from the Fund has really helped us to know you’re there for us no matter what. No matter what changes can occur in life. Being at the end of the phone to chat to is a massive comfort to us."