Exolum award £35k grant to support Airplay and youth programmes at Brize Norton

In 2023, Exolum International UK, a corporate partner of the RAF Benevolent Fund, donated £35,000 towards the Fund’s Station Grants programme, to support Airplay and youth programmes at RAF Brize Norton.

In August 2023, RAF Brize Norton held its own five-night residential stay taking 78 young people who attend Airplay, the Fund’s flagship youth support programme, to an adventure camp in Shropshire.

The Big Brize Adventure Camp residential, hosted by Brize Norton’s Community Support team, was supported by £15,000 of the total £35,000 grant from Exolum.

Jessica Price, Community Development Officer at Brize Norton, organised the Big Brize Adventure Camp. She said: “Building on the long-standing success of the centrally organised MoD residential, we wanted to run our own Station-led youth break to offer the opportunity to more families. We’d like to say a huge thank you for the support from our funders which has enabled us to make this ambition a reality.”

Jessica continued: “The Big Brize Adventure Break was a great example of RAF Community Support and Airplay working collaboratively to deliver high quality activities for military families and at RAF Brize Norton we’re incredibly proud of the ongoing success of this offering for children and families.”

The remaining £20,000 of Exolum’s contribution will go towards Airplay at Brize Norton.

Airplay provides a safe and fun place for the children and young people of the RAF Family across 28 stations, to learn and interact with their peers.

Exolum’s NW Europe Lead, Nacho Casajús, said: “Over the past few years, the RAF Benevolent Fund’s Airplay programme has given the children and young people of serving families much-needed time to rest, recuperate and enjoy themselves during the summer months. We’re delighted to be able to give back and contribute towards an initiative which makes such a difference to the lives of the RAF Family.”

Nacho continued: “We admire the Armed Forces and the sacrifices that serving RAF personnel and their families make every day in service of their country, so for us it’s an honour to show our support and appreciation for their selfless work through our sponsorship.”

You can find out more about the Airplay programme here.