Children received an early Christmas present when a team from the Red Arrows flew into Lincoln County Hospital with teddies and other gifts.
Engineers and support staff spent time meeting the young patients on Lincoln County Hospital’s Safari and Rainforest wards – not far from the team’s home base of RAF Waddington – and handed out teddy bears and other items paid for through fundraising carried out during 2025.
Personnel from the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team started their fundraising efforts during pre-season deployment to Croatia and Greece and by the end of the year had raised around £1,000.
Much of the fundraising was done through a fitness challenge, with the crew cycling, running or swimming a collective total of 10,800km – the equivalent distance from RAF Waddington to the two mainland European destinations and back during the training exercise.
Red Arrows avionics technician AS1(T) Lilly Holford, one of the team’s engineers coordinating the fundraising, said: “We really love visiting the wards each year at Christmas to spread a little festive spirit and give out teddies and other gifts to the children.”
The visit - made just two weeks before Christmas - certainly cheered up Alfie Fardell, a patient on Safari Ward.
He said: “If you come into hospital for an operation to have your tonsils removed, you don’t expect to meet the Red Arrows.”
The team also had time to make a quick visit to Scampton Ward which provides health care for older people.
Ben Petts, charity manager at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity, expressed his appreciation to the crew for taking time out of their busy schedule to visit.
He said: “These Christmas visits bring so much joy to our patients both young and old.
“It is fantastic that the whole team at the RAF Red Arrows are committed to providing ongoing support to Lincoln County Hospital.
“Over the last few years, they have raised nearly £10,000 which has provided toys and arts and craft materials for the children’s wards as well as day chairs and beds, giving comfort for parents whilst staying with their loved ones at the hospital.”
