RAF Shawbury personnel finish Dambusters Ride
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On 7 and 8 May, a team of three fundraisers from RAF Shawbury took part in the 60 mile Dambusters Ride, a cycle challenge organised by the RAF Benevolent Fund, the RAF’s leading welfare charity.
The team consisted of Jack Baldock (27), Sam Bradshaw (24) and Christin Morris (21), all Senior Aircraftsman (SAC) in Air Ops at RAF Shawbury. They carried out the challenge virtually at the station’s gym.
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 aircrew who left, 53 were killed and 3 became prisoners of war.
Jack said: "I wanted to support the RAF Benevolent Fund as the work they do is so important. I was keen to help raise money for a good cause and, as a team, challenge ourselves physically in a sport that we are not familiar with."
Christin added: "I haven’t had to use the RAF Benevolent Fund’s support yet but it’s great to know it is there if I do need it. The cycle was challenging but we enjoyed doing it as a team."
You can donate to the fundraiser here.