RAF personnel currently serving in Romania on a NATO enhanced Air Policing mission have completed a gruelling 50 mile sporting challenge to raise funds for the RAF Association.
Over seven days 55 deployed service personnel from 121 Expeditionary Air Wing took part in the Virtual 50 sponsored challenge and raised over £2,500 for RAF Association. The Virtual 50 event, which ran from 26th July to 1st August 2021, saw participants running, rowing, tabbing or cycling to complete 50 miles each.
"Being out here in Romania I thought it would be great to involve my 121 Expeditionary Air Wing colleagues in the 2021 event. In addition to raising money for RAF Association the challenge also promotes a bit of team cohesion and lifts morale. Our original aim as an Expeditionary Air Wing was to try and raise over £1000.00 and I am thrilled that we have managed to more than double this figure."
Flight Lieutenant Lesley Connor
121 Expeditionary Air Wing Detachment Administration Officer
To encourage and support those taking part, a 2-hour group session was organised at the gym in Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base where the 121 Expeditionary Air Wing detachment is currently based. A RAF Association stand was also set up in the gym to encourage spectators to donate to the RAF Association charity.
With daily temperatures rising above 32 degrees Celsius during the challenge, personnel made use of the air conditioned gym facilities on camp, or ran the perimeter track during the early hours or throughout the night to chip away at their mileage targets.
Flight Lieutenant Lesley Connor, 121 Expeditionary Air Wing Detachment Administration Officer, organised the charity event.
"I took part in the RAF Association Pathfinder 46 Challenge last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. I managed to raise over £650 for the charity then but I also did it to set myself a goal whilst in lockdown. Because I enjoyed the event so much I wanted to take part again this year."
Flight Lieutenant Lesley Connor
121 Expeditionary Air Wing Detachment Administration Officer
RAF Association is a charity dedicated to the whole RAF family. It helps to support serving members, RAF veterans and their families. As part of its fund raising efforts the RAF Association, Virtual 50 challenge has been widely supported and has so far raised over £28,000. This money allows RAF Association to provide further support to the whole RAF family as and when they need it.
You can see more in the below video on the RAF YouTube channel.
Please donate or read more about the RAF Association on their official website.
