Granddaughter of 101 Squadron Rear Gunner: “Why I’m taking part in the Dambusters Ride 2023”

British cycling coach, Saffron Small, has started training for the Dambusters Ride in honour of her late grandfather.

On the 80th anniversary of the 1943 Dambusters Raid, hundreds of cyclists and spectators are anticipated to gather at Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire, for the RAF Benevolent Fund’s annual Dambusters Ride, in tribute to the RAF veterans who assembled to bomb three dams in Germany’s Ruhr Valley.

Amongst those cycling will be Saffron Small, a female British cycling coach and Breeze champion.

Breeze is a British Cycling partnership programme with HSBC UK, aimed to support women nationwide in becoming confident avid cyclists.

Saffron, 42, is raising funds ahead of the RAF Benevolent Fund’s Dambusters Ride, which she is undertaking as a tribute to her grandfather, Sergeant Reginald Small, who was a Rear Gunner in the 101 Squadron.

Saffron is excited about cycling for a cause that is close to her heart. She said: “Cycling is my biggest passion in life. Being able to combine cycling with doing something for a worthy cause, I’m up for that.”

The Dambusters Ride is a fundraising event in honour of the RAF veterans who took part in Operation Chastise, and donations will help increase the amount of financial, emotional and practical support offered to serving and ex serving RAF personnel and their families.

The Heritage ride that Saffron will be undertaking includes options to ride 40, 80 or 100 miles, with Saffron set to conquer 80 miles alongside five fellow female ‘Breeze’ cyclists.

Remembering her grandfather, Saffron said: “I grew up with my grandfather’s war stories. He was immensely proud to have served in 101 Squadron. It was one of the squadrons that suffered some of the biggest losses during the Second World War. He was lucky to have survived a whole tour which was comprised of over 12 missions.”

Reginald served in the RAF as a Rear Gunner – which, during World War II, was one of the most dangerous positions to fly aircraft. Historically referred to as ‘tail and chargers’, most veterans serving as rear gunners would never survive if the plane had crashed. Saffron said: “My grandfather did survive but unfortunately his squadron took huge losses, and he lost many friends. He was very saddened by that – and that is why he was very keen to support the RAF Benevolent Fund.”

Families of retired and serving RAF veterans are eligible to receive a wide variety of help and support through the RAF Benevolent Fund, and although Saffron and her family have been fortunate enough to have never required the support, she understands the necessity of the Fund’s services.

Following her successful finish as the first female cyclist to cross during the 2019 Dambusters Ride, Saffron has decided that this year, she’s going to eat healthier, try not to gain weight over Christmas and continue with her usual riding miles during training in order to be fully prepared. Saffron concluded: “Not only is the Dambusters Ride a worthy cause, but it is also a good day out. You’re well looked after, and the food-stops are great. The countryside was lovely around there. It is such a fun day and to know that you are supporting a worthy cause obviously makes it even better!”

To sign up to the Dambusters Ride 2023, click here.