Wisbech RAF veteran cycles 46 miles in aid of RAF Benevolent Fund

An RAF veteran from Wisbech recently cycled 46 miles from Downham Market to Sandringham and back to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Anne Rose served in the Royal Air Force as an avionics technician from 1990 until 2003, when she left to become a maths teacher. She is currently an adult volunteer with the RAF Air Cadets and is Officer Commanding 272 (Wisbech) Squadron Air Training Corps.

Anne was joined by her brother David and his wife Sadie. David is based at RAF Honington as one of the Fund's Social Engagement Workers (SEWs) – an initiative aiming to tackle social isolation and loneliness among the serving community at a number of RAF stations. David spent 31 years in the RAF as an engineer before being medically discharged in 2018 and has also been supported by the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Anne said: "I'm not sure if I chose to do the challenge or was co-opted into it by my brother David. He phoned me while I was pushing my bike home after suffering a puncture – with just a week's notice before the event!

"Being ex-RAF myself, I thought it was important to raise money for the Fund. The charity provided so much support to my brother, and a friend of mine from recruit and trade training was supported through the Fund's Housing Trust when her husband died of cancer."

David added: "With so much cancelled or postponed this year, the opportunity to be part of the 'Prudential My Ride London' was too good to miss; I just had to persuade Sadie and Anne plus hope for some good weather. We got some goodish weather, managed a 'cake break' during the ride, raised some money for the RAF Benevolent Fund and finished with a smile and a decent brew."

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.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fund has expanded its Telephone Friendship Groups service to allow more veterans to join a weekly call and developed an online application form for grants of up to £750. It has made £2,500 available for 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.