About the RAF Benevolent Fund
The RAF Benevolent Fund is the RAF's leading welfare charity, providing practical, financial and emotional support to all members of the RAF family, from childhood through to old age. We help with issues from childcare and relationship difficulties to injury and disability; and from financial hardship and debt to illness and bereavement.
Our mission is to repay the ‘debt of gratitude’ we owe to the RAF, by providing support to the RAF family whenever they need it. We currently spend £20 million on welfare support each year, helping a range of people - from World War Two veterans to RAF personnel currently serving in Afghanistan.
Tony Rogers
Tony Rogers flew Lancasters, Spitfires and Wellingtons throughout the Second World War. In 1990, he had a stroke that left him with limited mobility and unable to walk more than a few yards. This loss of independence was a tremendous blow and it was compounded when, sadly, his loving wife and principal carer died suddenly of a brain haemorrhage.
Feeling he had nowhere else to turn, Tony applied to us for assistance. We were able to provide him with an electric scooter, which has given him a whole new lease of life.
‘I am so appreciative to the RAF Benevolent Fund for all the help given to me. Without my scooter I would be housebound – it is marvellous, marvellous, marvellous.’ (Tony)
Craig Cooper
Afghanistan veteran 30 year old Craig was serving in the RAF Regiment when his wife prematurely gave birth to twins Sophie and Erica. The girls were born at just 24 weeks, both with Cerebral Palsy. When Craig was then medically discharged from the RAF in 2008, he and his wife found themselves under a lot of financial pressure. In urgent need of support, he visited his local Citizens Advice Bureau in Sleaford where he was told about a new Benefits and Money Advice Service specifically set up for members of the Armed Forces community, funded by the RAF Benevolent Fund and the Royal British Legion.
The service supported Craig and his wife in managing their finances and stabilising their various debts. Craig was also put in touch with the RAF Benevolent Fund directly, who awarded a grant to pay for specialist equipment for his daughter Sophie.
‘The Benefits and Money Advice caseworker was fantastically helpful, taking us out of a really bad financial position and putting us back on our feet. Our problems had looked insurmountable at one point but now we feel like we can manage our situation. The RAF Benevolent Fund has been great as well, helping us get equipment which really makes a difference in our daughter’s life.' (Craig)
Donate
Every donation you make helps us to continue to provide financial, practical and emotional support to all members of the RAF family.
Win an air to air spitfire display
Join us in celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain by writing a personal thank you message to members of the RAF, past and present. By submitting a message, you could win a private air to air spitfire display! All messages will be presented to Battle of Britain veterans this September.
The Debt we Owe
"Never in the field of human conflict, was so much owed by so many to so few...Let us all welcome this chance to pay a small measure of the debt we owe." Churchill makes an appeal on behalf of the RAFBF.
Donate now
Help us to be there for all members of the RAF family, while they are serving and also in later life. By making a donation online today, you will be helping to repay the ‘debt of gratitude’ we owe to the RAF.