Former RAF Squadron Commander gears up for the 2023 Dambusters Ride

Taking part in this year’s Dambusters 80th anniversary virtual ride is RAF Reservist and former Squadron Commander Clive Mitchell, 59, who is stationed at RAF Lossiemouth.

Clive is rounding up a team of cyclists to ride alongside him whilst raising money for the RAF Benevolent Fund, the RAF’s leading welfare charity.

The Dambusters Ride pays tribute to members of the RAF's 617 Squadron who were assembled to bomb three dams in Germany's Ruhr Valley on the night of 16-17 May 1943 as part of Operation Chastise – also known as the Dambusters raid. It was a risky raid, dropping the revolutionary bouncing bomb at low level, and the cost was high. Of 133 crew who left, only 53 returned.

Clive enjoyed a fulfilling career in the RAF , principally as a navigator, from 1982 -2019 and has since been a Full-Time Reservist.

To support the Fund, Clive will be navigating his way through two fundraisers.

The first fundraiser Clive will be taking part in will be the RAF Benevolent Fund’s Virtual Dambusters Ride on 20 May, and the second, on 27 May, will involve running and cycling 100km of British soil alongside his team of former 617 Squadron pilots during the RAF Benevolent Fund’s Cairngorm to Coast fundraiser , which you can read more about here.

Serving in locations around the world as well as in the first Gulf War and multiple operations in the Middle East, Clive is no stranger to the impact that Service life can have on members of the RAF and their families.

Now looking for ways to pay forward the good, Clive aims to raise £617 in funds, in honour of 617 Squadron, the Squadron which was responsible for the Dambusters Raid in 1943.

The funds will go towards supporting the welfare needs of the RAF Family.

For the past two years Clive and his fantastic team have participated in the Dambusters Ride and were the runners up for Fundraising Team of the Year at the RAF Benevolent Fund Awards in 2022.

Clive said: “Myself and the team are all on the wrong side of 50 but we all feel like it’s important to raise funds and mark this momentous anniversary. Some of us are even braving a marathon the week after the ride and are competing in the Cairngorm to Coast hike and bike event to raise further funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund.”

Clive continued: “The RAF Benevolent Fund is a cause I regularly support as it provides meaningful assistance to veterans and those still serving. I can guarantee that all my training and sweat is worth the hard work!”

The Dambusters Ride consists of two elements: a Virtual Ride over the weekend of 20-21 May 2023 and a Heritage Ride taking place in Lincolnshire, on Saturday 13 May. Because of the Virtual Ride option, fundraisers from all over the world will be taking part in the event.

Lisa Hunt, RAF Benevolent Fund Community Fundraiser, said: “What better way is there to honour the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid than by fundraising to help support RAF veterans, personnel, and their families?

“Operation Chastise was an important part of the RAF’s history, so in addition to raising much-needed funds, I hope the Dambusters Ride encourages younger generations to learn more about 617 Squadron and their brave sacrifice 80 years ago.”

You can donate to Clive’s fundraiser here.