Retired US Air Force Major and father of new RAF recruit to run Chicago Marathon to raise money for RAF Benevolent Fund

The parents of a recent RAF recruit are heading off to Chicago to run the city’s marathon and raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund.  

Timothy Clough, who is a retired US Air Force Major, now living in Whittlesey, is taking on the challenge alongside his wife, Elisabeth, after their 18-year-old son, Matthew, recently joined the RAF and is based at RAF Halton. 

Timothy, 51, said: "Our son selected the RAF Benevolent Fund as one of his chosen charities during an info brief early into his basic training, and we thought it would be great to choose a charity that my son is supporting, and would also be there to support him if needed, much like my wife's family was during World War Two."

"My wife, Elisabeth's grandmother, Joan O'Brennan, died in the 1940s from cancer as a young mother, leaving four small children to be taken care of by her RAF World War Two tail gunner husband, Les, who was still on active duty at the time. If it wasn't for the help of the RAF Benevolent Fund the children would've had to go into a home."

He added: "My wife and I were already registered to run the Chicago Marathon together so we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to support a wonderful charity that is close to us and the timing of our son's recent entry into the RAF."

To support the couple's fundraising, visit their JustGiving page.