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RAF Benevolent Fund Awards 2021

Two women and a man in smart attire hold their award.

The RAF Benevolent Fund held its ninth annual awards ceremony to celebrate the outstanding contributions from hundreds of RAF personnel, veterans, and supporters, at the Plaisterers’ Hall, London. 

"After making the difficult but necessary decision to hold our annual awards ceremony virtually last year, it’s been an absolute pleasure to see so many friendly faces once again in person this year as we celebrate the efforts of our supporters and fundraisers.  Last year was a challenging time for the whole of the RAF Family, and the awards are a great opportunity to recognise all of the fantastic work that allowed us to continue supporting RAF veterans, serving personnel and their families throughout the pandemic and beyond.  I’d like to pass on my congratulations to all of this year’s winners. The enthusiasm, creativity, and generosity we saw over the course of 2020 was truly inspiring, so from all of us here at the Fund – thank you."

Air Vice-Marshal Chris Elliot
Controller of the RAF Benevolent Fund

RAF College Cranwell won Station of the Year for their amazing work to raise more than £12,000.  Personnel virtually ran, walked, cycled and swam through 100 miles, as well as gifting specially designed centenary blankets to 100 individuals across the UK.

Personnel hold their award; a sword on a plaque.
The Station of the Year was achieved by RAF College Cranwell.

The RAF Stations Challenge Cup went to RAF Shawbury, for raising the most money through sporting events, with 500 personnel participating in their annual 10k.

Personnel hold their award; a trophy.
The RAF Stations Challenge Cup went to RAF Shawbury.

Personnel from RAF Odiham were also praised for raising over £10,000.  Under the searing heat of Mali, deployed personnel covered the distance of 2,299 miles that separated them from Odiham.  Personnel closer to home also visited local supermarkets to collect for the Fund’s Battle of Britain 8Tea Party. 

Winning the Above & Beyond title was seven-year-old fundraiser Jacob Newson, whose phenomenal work has raised more than £43,000 for the Fund so far.  Jacob climbed Pen-y-Ghent in Yorkshire and Ben Nevis in Scotland; walked 30 miles in two days from RAF Manston to the Battle of Britain Memorial; and held an auction of several signed Bomber Command books as well as a Chipmunk experience flight raffle. 

Jacob holds his award.
The Above & Beyond award went to Jacob Newson, also known as 'Jacob the Pilot.'

Former airman John Patrick was also recognised for doing the ‘Half Century Challenge’ with 50 difference exercises daily for a month.  John asked others to contribute to his challenge, rather than buy presents for his 50th birthday.

Karen Forbes from RAF Lossiemouth was awarded the Airplay Youth Worker of the Year, for supporting young people through five weekly Airplay groups.  Karen continued her efforts during the Pandemic with virtual sessions and has provided opportunities such as The Duke of Edinburgh, babysitting courses, and topical sessions.

Melanie Turnbull was also recognised for making an outstanding contribution to improving the wellbeing of RAF children.  As Station Youth Worker at RAF Leeming, she doubled the number of weekly Airplay sessions and introduced project clubs that have great attendance.

The Fundraising Team of the Year award went to the General Engineering Flight, RAF Leeming, for their true dedication to fundraising.  They raised £3,500 by cycling from Southport to Hull, in memory of one of their colleagues, Senior Aircraftman George Ellis.

Glass awards set out on the table.
The Fundraising Team of the Year award went to the General Engineering Flight, at RAF Leeming.

Also mentioned was the RAF Rugby Union Women’s team, who took part in a 12-hour virtual fitness challenge over Zoom and raised more than £1,600.

Red Arrows technician, Corporal Ollie Kirk was awarded Volunteer of the Year for his involvement with the Fund’s Check and Chat to lonely RAF Veterans.  Ollie has called 87-year-old Reg Lawrence every week since the Pandemic, and the pair have developed a firm friendship.

Ollie holds his award.
Corporal Ollie Kirk won Volunteer of the Year.

Emlyn Phennah was also recognised for volunteering with SSAFA Gloucestershire, to support and cheer 732 Veterans.

Below is the full list of winners of this year’s awards, which were sponsored by Lockheed Martin UK.

  • RAF Station of the Year - RAF College Cranwell
  • RAF Stations Challenge Cup - RAF Shawbury
  • Above & Beyond - Jacob Newson
  • Airplay Youth Worker of the Year - Karen Forbes, RAF Lossiemouth
  • Fundraising Team of the Year - General Engineering Flight, RAF Leeming
  • Outstanding Support from an Organisation - The Blades
  • Special Recognition - Steve Darlow
  • Volunteer of the Year - Corporal Ollie Kirk
  • Welfare Caseworker of the Year - John Marsland BEM, RAF Association