RAF veteran takes on 24-hour wheelchair push for Fund

On Monday 16 September, fundraiser Sean Allerton took part in a 24-hour wheelchair push at RAF Cranwell to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund.

The wheelchair event began on Monday 16 September at 8am and finished at 8am the following morning. The event consisted of Sean and RAF personnel pushing themselves around the parade square, commonly known as the Orange, at RAF College Cranwell, Lincolnshire.

Sean Allerton, aged 59, served in the RAF for nine years. Sean lost the use of his legs in a road traffic collision whilst on duty in Cyprus in 1993. He spent 50 weeks in hospital with a broken neck and was medically discharged in 1995.

Sean was supported by the RAF Benevolent Fund’s Housing Trust, providing him with an adapted home to meet his needs. Sean said of the fundraiser: “I have been doing the wheelchair push event for the last 12 years and this is my fourth one at RAF Cranwell.”

Sean has completed a ‘Push 500’ challenge in the past with The Proclaimers attending and pushing the first few miles in support.

Sean said: “The biggest obstacle is your state of mind, but I was quite fine with it. I was rather tired but didn’t want to go to bed too early, so I ended up being awake for 39 hours straight.”

Sean was supported by over 60 Air Cadets and a parade was held to close the event with words given by the Commandant of College Cranwell Air Commodore John Lyle.

Sean has been raising money for the Fund and other military charities for the last 12 years and has raised approximately £42,000 to date.

Sean said: “I want to support the absolutely outstanding work of the RAF Benevolent Fund. I would not be able to do the things I can without the Fund. I’m so grateful for my house and how they’ve been there for me. I just remember waking up in hospital and being told: ‘you’re one of ours, we’ll help you out’.

“It’s important to raise awareness of the Fund, for serving personnel and for their futures, to ensure they know that should they ever be in need, the Fund is there to support them.”

You can donate to Sean’s fundraiser on JustGiving.