Not just for the old boys.
As a serving member of the Royal Air Force, you may or may not be aware of the RAF Association, who we are and how we can help you. The RAF Association is here for all members of the RAF family, from those who have served to those that serve now.
Working closely with today’s personnel has enabled us to provide a number of great initiatives such as:
- WIFI & Internet Café’s on a number of bases across the UK, This enables families to stay in touch whilst loved ones are away on operations overseas.
- Refurbishments to contact houses on over 30 stations for all to use as a base for family visits.
- Storybook Wings – an opportunity for children to listen to their parents read them a story even though they are a thousand miles away
- Supporting RAF Sports
We also have over 600 voluntary welfare officers across the UK who actively seek out members of the RAF family in need. This invaluable support team can offer anything from a shoulder to cry on to financial advice.
All of this work is achievable as a result of the great support we receive from serving personnel, our members & the general public.
We are also a membership organisation of which you can become a member for just £17.00 a year by joining the Association your annual membership fee will contribute to our work. To become a member click here
Our Homes
February 1958 saw the opening at Lytham St Annes, Lancashire of the Association’s first convalescent and rest home, named Richard Peck House in honour of Air Marshal Sir Richard Peck, who had become President of the RAF Association in 1949. We continue to run this home today in conjunction with our sister charity, The RAF Benevolent Fund.
In 1962 the Association acquired Sussexdown in Storrington, West Sussex as part of a plan to have a residential wing as well as providing convalescent facilities. This home has been the subject of a major review and to secure a viable future will change its status from a nursing home to a residential care home and has now been transferred in a long-term lease to a not-for-profit organisation, namely Care South who will continue to provide long term residential care as well as short term respite and welfare breaks. The ex-RAF will receive nomination rights for applications made to the home.
During 1996 a second convalescent and respite care home opened in Rothbury, near Newcastle upon Tyne and in 1998 a third, Flowerdown House in Weston Super Mare, Flowerdown also has a Malcolm Appartment that can be utilised by families. These facilities continue to assist the RAF Family in association with ourselves and The RAF Benevolent Fund.
What We Do
We provide friendship and support to serving and ex-serving members of the RAF and their families. Each year we help tens of thousands of people by offering a wide range of welfare services that include home and hospital visits from a volunteer field force; long-term residential care; short-term convalescent and respite breaks; sheltered housing’ resettlement advice and advice on war pensions.
Continuing to branch out in many directions, the Association is striving to diversify in its support to our members by enhancing the services we provide. New initiatives include the initiation of a new website entitled RAF-Comrade-Contact (http://www.raf-comrade-contact.co.uk/) which will reunite RAF personnel and encourages members to chat and submit stories and information through the website; opening of internet facilities on RAF bases, most recently at RAF Cottesmore called Mokarabia which hopes to encourage a safe and welcoming atmosphere for personnel to meet and talk to loved ones through the internet facilities provided.
The People We Help
There is a widely held perception that we only help airmen and airwomen who fought in World War II. Nothing could be further from the truth! As well as supporting the whole RAF Family we are increasingly supporting those people who are serving and have served in more recent conflicts in Korea, Borneo, the Falklands, the Gulf War, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo and the latest conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan.
How We Fund Our Work
The RAF Association receives no Government funding so we are entirely dependant on the generosity of the public and our own members to raise the funds that will enable us to continue our work for the RAF family. The demand on our resources continues to grow.
To make your donation online now
to the RAF Association. click here »
Blades Merchandise now in stock
Our new Blades products from the 2011 airshow season are now available online in the RAFA ShopClick here »
Welcome to the RAF Association
The First Annual Report of the Armed Forces Covenant
The First Annual Report on the Armed Forces Covenant has been published. Signed off by the Secretary of State for Defence, the RAF Families Federation is hoping to stimulate Parliamentary debate as to the progress of the Covenant and its impact on improving the lives of serving personnel and their f... Read more »
RAF wine a treat for RAF mess
A highly acclaimed RAF wine has gone down a storm at RAF Cranwell, raising hundreds of pounds for the RAF Association in the process. Read more »
2011 Everest Base Camp – Yeti Trek
RAFALO Dave Craven left RAF Cottesmore last year, bound for the Himalayas in search of the fabled yeti, or to be more accurate, to trek to Everest Base Camp raising almost £3000 for the RAF Association. Read more »
Wellington Bomber Bike Ride, Waterbeach to Landsmeer
A group of airmen from RAF Brize Norton will take on a huge commemorative feat for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal when they cycle 400 miles in four days. Read more »
15% off shared rooms at our Homes from Home
We are offering 15% off the cost of a stay for each person when sharing a room at Flowerdown House, Rothbury House or Richard Peck House. Read more »
Trek the Great Wall of China 14-23 September 2012
Discover a country immersed in history, mythology and ancient traditions and trek the Great Wall of China while raising valuable funds for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal Read more »
Cycle London to Paris 22-25 June 2012
Encounter historic towns, sleepy villages and rolling countryside en-route from London to Paris Read more »
Nightrider - 9th to 10th June 2012
Cycle London at night and raise funds for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal Read more »
Great East Swim 16th June 2012
The Perfect Challenge for swimmers of all abilities, take part in the Great East Swim for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal Read more »
Great Manchester Run - 20th May 2012
Take part in the nation's favourite 10k running event for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal Read more »
Take on a skydive for the Wings Appeal
Challenge yourself and take on a skydive for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal. Read more »
New Years Honours 2012
A group of hardworking and dedicated individuals have been nominated to receive the RAF Association’s highest honour. Read more »
A helping hand for those who need it
For many elderly veterans living alone, loneliness and isolation is their reward for the sacrifices they made for their country. The RAF Association has a UK-wide network of over 550 voluntary welfare officers who actively seek out ex-RAF personnel and their families in need of support Read more »
Jon-Allan nominated for British Cycling award
Following his huge successes over the past year, former SAC Jon-Allan Butterworth has been nominated for British Cycling’s Ride of the Year 2011. Read more »
Christmas calling from the frontline
The RAF Association will send another 3,000 Miles More Minutes telephone cards out to Afghanistan this Christmas to support serving personnel. Read more »
Trekking the Trail
After months of planning, training and fundraising a trio of trekkers from RAF Lyneham and RAF Marham completed the Great Wall of China trail to raise money for the RAF Association’s Wings Appeal Read more »
In memory of Flt Lt Sean Cunningham - Red 5
We would like to express our great sadness at the tragic death of Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham – Red 5 of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows. Read more »
On track to the Paralympics
After losing his left arm in a rocket attack in Basra, former SAC Jon-Allan Butterworth took up cycling as a professional career upon leaving the RAF. His goal now is to compete at the 2012 Paralympics in London. Read more »
Former airman takes to the skies for the Wings Appeal
When former SAC Christopher Hawes, 37, was medically discharged from the RAF he didn’t know where to turn for the support he needed. The RAF Association provided Christopher with the advice and support that he was so desperately looking for when he needed it the most. Read more »
Rewards from the RAFATHON
RAF Association President Air Marshal Sir Dusty Miller KBE was welcomed to RAF Waddington to meet the team behind the station’s leg of the 2011 RAFAthon. Read more »
Calling all runners! Edinburgh Marathon Festival 26/27 May 2012
The Edinburgh Marathon Festival is one of the UK's major running events so join the RAF Wings Appeal team to make sure you're involved Read more »
Taking the plunge
71 years after he first joined the RAF, 92-year old WWII veteran John Hitchmough is once again returning to the skies, to take part in his first ever skydive in aid of the RAF Association. Read more »
200 Days 3,500 Miles An Anthology of Poems
This book of poems written by the families and members of 27 Squadron RAF Regiment is dedicated to all the men and women who have served with the Royal Air Force Regiment and their families. Read more »
Show the world you care online
Add our new Twibbons to your Facebook and Twitter profiles and help us spread the word! Read more »
The RAF Association Wings Appeal - Miles More Minutes Campaign
The RAF Association's Wings Appeal - Miles More Minutes Campaign Read more »
