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RAF Lossie Airplay young people foodbank collection

The MacRobert Trust donates £30,000 to support RAF young people

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The MacRobert Trust has made a generous donation of £30,000 to support the RAF Benevolent Fund’s Airplay Youth Programme at RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland.

The MacRobert Trust has generously awarded the Fund a grant of £30,000 to support the provision of Airplay at RAF Lossiemouth, the Fund's flagship youth support programme for children and teens aged eight to 18, as part of a two-year grant of £50,000 awarded in May 2023.

Airplay provides a safe space where children and young people can have fun, learn new skills and receive much-needed support as they mitigate the challenges of growing up as part of a military family.

Over the last year, attendees at RAF Lossiemouth Airplay have taken part in a series of engaging activities related to staying safe, including a first aid course learning lifesaving skills, and a Christmas project to raise awareness and support for their local Moray foodbank. This project instigated discussions with the young people about food poverty, the cost-of-living crisis and enabled them to reflect on their own challenges and fortunes.

Recent research conducted by the Fund showed that 91 per cent of parents agreed that Airplay is helping their child be more confident; 83 per cent of Airplay children agreed that Airplay has helped them to make new friends and 89 per cent agreed that they feel listened to at Airplay.

Rear Admiral Chris Hockley, CEO from The MacRobert Trust said: "The MacRobert Trust is very proud of its strong relationship with the RAF and we are delighted to support the vital work of the RAF Benevolent Fund’s Airplay programme at RAF Lossiemouth. We believe the Airplay project has a hugely positive impact on the young people involved, by providing a safe place to meet with other military children, develop life skills and build confident relationships.”

Sheila Brazil, Trust and Foundations Manager at the RAF Benevolent Fund said: “I’d like to extend my greatest thanks to The MacRobert Trust for awarding this generous grant which will help us continue supporting young people at RAF Lossiemouth through our Airplay programme. Airplay has a powerful impact on the lives of RAF children and young people where they can fully embrace and celebrate being a part of the RAF Family.”