This year, personnel from No. 4624 Movements Squadron have helped raise an impressive £67,686 for Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA), the UK’s oldest national tri-service military charity.
Following from last year’s remarkable fund-raising effort of £54,651 by 4624 Squadron personnel, Senior Aircraftsmen (SAC’s) David Harrison and Simon Miesegaes set out in force to try and beat this and raise more money at the Battle Proms.
The Battle Proms are a true summer celebration attracting thousands of people, entertainment with music, fireworks, Spitfire aircraft, cannons, cavalry and also a parade from 4624 Squadron personnel.
“None of this extraordinary amount of fundraising would have been possible without the total commitment of so many individuals – 4624 Squadron personnel at every Battle Prom were the most brilliant ambassadors for the Royal Air Force and made our lives easy. ”
Senior Aircraftmen
David Harrison and Simon Miesegaes
Raising this amount of money was no easy task at each event, SAC David Harrison gave a significant amount of his own time to coordinate over 30 personnel from the Squadron. Who walked through crowds alongside SSAFA Corporate Events team, selling raffle tickets and collecting donations from generous ‘concert goers’.
“In my last year, as Officer Commanding (OC) 4624 Squadron, it is a privilege to have under my command individuals who have shown such adaptability and flexibility; be it deploying to support Operation SHADER, or No. 1 Air Mobility Wing around the globe, 4624 personnel still find time to support their brothers in arms.”
Wing Commander Bev Peart
Officer Commanding No. 4624 Squadron
Both David Harrison and Simon Miesegaes were singled out for praise at the annual Volunteers Thank You” event in London where they were complemented on their work by the Chief Executive for SSAFA, Lieutenant General (Retd) Sir Andrew Gregory KBE CB.
Commenting on 4624’s role, Mr James Grant from SSAFA said:
“To have even contemplated beating last year’s total of over £54,000 was daunting but 4624 Squadron applied themselves and generated great goodwill amongst our SSAFA volunteers such that the possibility of beating last year’s target soon came in to our sights. I am extremely grateful to the OC of 4624 Squadron for giving SSAFA such indispensable support.”
