Storybook Wings
For serving RAF personnel who are deployed overseas, one of the most difficult things to do is leave loved ones behind – particularly when parents leave their children for extended periods of time.
Storybook Wings provides a vital link between these parents and their children. It enables parents to record bedtime stories, along with personal messages, for their children to listen to while they are away, helping to ease the anxiety caused by separation.
The RAF Association provides recording equipment to parents for them to record their chosen stories. Thanks to generous donations received from members and the general public the Association is able to fund the special editing and sound mixing equipment needed by our volunteer editors. Once edited, a soundtrack is added to give each story a really special feel. The completed CD is then sent to the children in a personalised CD cover, and is ready for them to listen to whenever they like.
The RAF Association now supports 32 stations who participate in this growing and popular project, and RAF personnel are also able to record stories while in Theatre, with two recorders in Afghanistan plus another at RAF Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands.
Find out how Storybook Wings has helped families deployed to the Falklands. We now even have the Gruffalo on our approved list!
Listen to an example recording of a typical story
Storybook Wings gave an extra-special Christmas gift for the Jackson family
Like many Service Personnel, Flt Sgt Alistair Jackson was deployed to Afghanistan over Christmas. So his wife, Susan, and their two children, Amy and Owen, faced the difficult prospect of a Christmas Day without him. But thanks to the RAF Association, Amy and Owen were still able to listen to the sound of their father’s voice as they received a very special gift that morning.
“It is a wonderful service to be able to use. It’s good to be able to do something so positive that helps you to stay close to your family when you are going to be serving overseas. Storybook Wings was really uplifting. It meant a lot to me, and to the children, to be able to record these stories for them. When I was away it was nice to think that they were still listening to the sound of my voice. Of all the Christmas presents that my children received, this was by far the best,” said Flight Sergeant Alistair Jackson.
If you’re serving RAF personnel and would like to take part, please contact either your HIVE or the Storybook Wings coordinator by email, or telephone 01780 783645 / RAF Wittering Mil. (95351) 7538
Donate to keep projects like Storybook Wings going right now!