RAF Northolt officer sets her sights on the Dambusters Ride

An RAF officer based at RAF Northolt will soon be taking part in the Dambusters Ride. The event consists of two elements: a Virtual Ride on the weekend of 7-8 May, and a Heritage Ride taking place in Lincolnshire on Saturday 14 May, with two distances for riders to choose from; either 60 or 100 miles.

Wing Commander Paula Willmot (56) will be completing the 60-mile Virtual Ride on her Peloton bike. Paula has been in the RAF for over 30 years and is currently SO1 Strat Comms.

The Dambusters Ride pays tribute to the Dambusters, 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 – also known as Operation Chastise. 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.

Wg Cdr Paula Willmot said: "The RAF Benevolent Fund is there for all service personnel and their families, whatever the circumstance. It's an organisation that shows help is there not just there while you’re serving, but as you go through life and become a veteran. The charity is there for life and its successes are numerous. 

"By no means would I describe myself as a keen cyclist but I absolutely love my Peloton. I'm looking forward to being able to give back to the Fund, feel like I am doing something worthwhile whilst also staying healthy and fit. The fact that I am completing the ride in my spare room is just a bit different but I will be wearing my jersey and will be proud to do so!"

For more information and to register for the Dambusters Ride, please visit rafbf.org/ride.

The RAF Benevolent Fund provides financial, emotional, and practical assistance to serving and retired RAF personnel and their families. This includes grants to help with financial difficulty, free memberships for Headspace, Airplay youth clubs, and more. 

Lisa Hunt, Regional Fundraiser at the RAF Benevolent Fund, added: "The Dambusters Ride was an enormous success in 2021, raising nearly £200,000 for the Fund. We want this year's event to be even bigger, so we're calling on our supporters and any eager cyclists to join the 2022 challenge. If you're unable to make it to Lincolnshire for the main event on Saturday 14 May, please consider signing up for the virtual ride, which will allow you to complete your miles in any other location over the weekend of 7-8 May instead."