"One phone call has led to so much support"

Christine Carr joined the RAF in 1985 and served for two years as a Senior Aircraftwoman based at RAF Henlow. Christine was always aware of the Fund but didn’t realise the extent of its support until one phone call that changed everything.

It all started with a spilt drink and a phone call for RAF veteran Christine and her family.  Christine said: "My husband Richard spilt coffee on our only laptop. It was the second laptop that had broken in a short space of time, and my son needed a computer to do his schoolwork. I decided to call the RAF Benevolent Fund to see if they could help as we needed one urgently."

Christine spoke to one of the Fund’s Welfare Navigators, who asked Christine a number of questions about her circumstances, and they got onto talking about how the couple were struggling with costs to cover payments for Richard’s mother’s property while she lived in a care home. Christine explained: "We had to pay for maintenance for my mother-in-law’s empty home still, which was around £800 a month, as well as the ground rent. We were told by the retirement home company that we then had to pay an additional £400 a month. I didn’t know where we were going to find the money."

One of the Fund’s Welfare Executives, Emma, visited the family to have a discussion about how the Fund could best support them. While at Christine’s home, it became clear that as well as the other requirements, a new front door was needed, as there was a gap letting in the draught. Christine and Richard would need to apply for planning permission with the house being a grade two listed building. It was a major worry, especially with the cost on coal and fuel being spent on the house as a result.

Christine said: "The house was freezing – it has thick, solid walls and the wind used to really come through and make every room cold. We would be sitting with blankets right next to the fire. The electricity bill was so expensive.

"I said to Emma, ‘I just can’t catch a break. I feel so overwhelmed."

Thankfully, the Fund was able to arrange for a new door to be fitted and also referred Christine to the Fund’s advocacy team who were able to provide advice on her mother-in-law’s housing costs. The Fund also provided a new laptop for the family.

Not only that, but the Fund provided a financial grant through the Alexander Duckham Memorial Schools Trust (ADMST), to cover school uniform costs and piano lessons for the couple’s teenage son Peter.

Christine said: "It was a massive relief and really took the pressure off. I can’t believe one phone call about something small led to so much support.

"I decided to give back to the Fund to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and we held a local fundraiser in the village to raise money. We are also arranging a charity concert to raise even more. It is important for me to play my part in supporting the Fund – a charity that has helped our family so much."