RAF Odiham personnel run, cycle and bear crawl for charity

A team of seven physical training instructors based at RAF Odiham are running, cycling and bear crawling to raise money for the Fund. The team, led by Corporal Harrison Knight (25), is completing a kilometre for every pound raised throughout January and February.

The team are inviting other personnel to join in by running biweekly virtual circuits on Zoom, posting challenges and workouts on the RAF Odiham MyZone fitness app, and sharing video clips on social media.

Harrison said: "January is a month to return to fitness, but morale can be low. We created this challenge to help stay motivated throughout lockdown while raising money for the RAF Benevolent Fund along the way.

"The Fund makes massive contributions to our wellbeing on station, for example through the funding of our stretching and recovery room in the gym at RAF Odiham. We know that many charities are struggling for donations, so we wanted to make sure veterans, serving personnel and reservists can access whatever support they need."

So far, the team have raised £370.

In 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the RAF Benevolent Fund introduced a 24-hour emotional support helpline and created an online mental wellbeing zone, as well as offering Headspace memberships to partners of serving personnel.

The Fund has also offered a grant of £2,500 to each RAF station to provide an activity and wellbeing pack for RAF children and launched Airplay Connect, an online version of its youth support service.

Heather Kemp, Regional Fundraiser at the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: "It's great to see Harrison and his teammates using this opportunity to challenge themselves physically by fundraising. They have helped spread the Fund's message while inspiring others at RAF Odiham, and through this they are helping us to continue supporting the RAF Family, whenever they may need us."