IMPACT REPORT 2023
We’re here to empower members of the RAF Family to seek assistance whenever it is needed, to improve their quality of life, independence and wellbeing.
This year demand for assistance of all kinds was higher than ever. We are proud to have supported over 42,200 RAF veterans, serving personnel and their families, offering financial, practical and emotional support.
For over 100 years, we've been the RAF's most devoted friend, supporting the whole of the RAF Family, from the oldest veteran to the youngest child. Together, we’ll continue to be here in 2024 and beyond.
Our financial, emotional and practical support to the RAF Family in 2023
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Members of the RAF Family were affected by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis – we provided financial support to help individuals and families through this challenging time.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Once again, we saw an increased demand in wellbeing support for individuals, families and couples. Our welfare team provided mental health support to our veteran community to reduce social isolation and loneliness; and emotional assistance to serving personnel who required it, helping them to cope with the daily pressures of military life.
PRACTICAL SUPPORT
We continued to provide practical support for the RAF Family, including mobility equipment, housing adaptations and breaks away, increasing independence and improving quality of life.
WE REMEMBERED
2023 saw the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of the RAF Memorial with The King’s Colour Squadron and other serving members of the Royal Air Force. We are immensely proud of the memorial unveiled by the Fund in 1923 to ensure we always remember those who serve and have served in the air and on the ground.
27,862
serving personnel and their families supported in 2023.
14,397
veterans and their families supported.
93%
of beneficiaries said that we improved their quality of life.
WE WERE THERE FOR NEIL
After a difficult period of loss, RAF veteran Neil saw his health and wellbeing spiral into decline. He turned to the Fund for support. Now Neil regularly attends day trips and a monthly veterans’ coffee morning organised by our Community Engagement Team, which help him combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Neil said: “I’d just like to say a big thank you to everyone who supports the RAF Benevolent Fund. The counselling from the Fund has picked me up during difficult times in my life. I feel part of society again.”
You can read more about Neil's story in our 2023 Impact Report.
15,202
beneficiaries supported with emotional and wellbeing support.
5,600
people supported with financial grants to help them through tough times.
£14.1M
raised through our fundraising.
HOW WE HELPED KABIR AND HIS FAMILY
Lance Corporal Kabir started to struggle financially when his wife went on maternity leave with their second child. At the time it was the height of the cost-of-living crisis and fuel hikes meant Kabir was spending £350 month to get to and from work.
Kabir said: "We weren’t eligible for Universal Credit, but I saw that I could apply for a one-off financial grant from the RAF Benevolent Fund. I was so relieved when we were granted the money.”
“The Fund gave us the clean slate we so desperately needed”.
Kabir has now moved teams and is working closer to home and his wife is back to working part time.
Read more about Kabir's story in our 2023 Impact Report.
