Fun for all the family at the annual RAF Station Families’ Days

The annual RAF Station Families' Days are supported by the RAF Benevolent Fund, to bring serving personnel and their families and friends together at RAF stations across the country.

The Fund contributes a series of grants to RAF bases to help facilitate the events each year.

This July, RAF Honington hosted its Families' Day enjoyed by over 2,500 people from its station community and close military charities.

The team at RAF Honington said: "Without the very generous support and donation from the RAF Benevolent Fund, much of the entertainment would not have been possible. It was great to see Declan, Suzi and Lynn at the event to continue the good work."

A superb flying display graced the skies from the RAF Red Arrows, RAF Typhoon Display Team, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the RAF Tutor Display Team with several flyovers wowing the crowds.

The Central and East Region Air Cadets supported, as ever, to ensure a safe and memorable day, with a static display from 611 Volunteer Gliding Squadron emphasising that Honington is now a flying station once again.

Other close military charities were also in attendance including the Thetford RAFA Branch led by Chairman Jon MacPherson, RBL from Bury St Edmunds and Suffolk, and the SSAFA In-Service Committee.

On Saturday 2 September, RAF Brize Norton held its annual Families' Day and 'Brizefest' music concert – a key event in recognising and rewarding personnel from across the Whole Force, their families, and many within the wider community, for their exceptional support and contribution to the Air Mobility Fleet and UK Defence Operations.

This year's event at Brize Norton was attended by approximately 12,000 people with a huge range of activities, stalls, and attractions available for all to enjoy. From motorcycle stunt displays, funfair rides, a vast array of brilliant cars and aircraft on display, to some magnificent flyovers from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Lancaster Bomber and much, much more; a great day was had by all.

The evening transcended into a fantastic music festival with a huge mix of tribute artists and bands. Be it Dua Live, Only Olly, Duke, Boomin, and the headline act of Bon Jiovi to finish; the event was a dazzling mix of performances, capped off with a spectacular firework display.

Irene Greenwood, Welfare Programmes Manager at the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: "The Fund provides a variety of grants to RAF bases which are important to ensure RAF families have the mental, financial, and practical assistance they need. Events such as Families' Days allows the single serving personnel and those with families to come together and socialise together, increasing cohesion, improving morale and mental health, and reducing isolation."

She continued: "We are thrilled that the Fund is able to support the RAF station Families’ Days again this year, bringing the community together to enjoy some much-needed downtime."

Wing Commander Woollard, Officer in Charge for Brize Norton's Families' Day, said: "As ever, we thank our local businesses, organisations, and charities for their support on the day. A huge thank you also goes out to local community for their excellent support on the day; it was great to see so many local organisations represented, and we look forward seeing many more of you at Families’ Day and Brizefest in 2024."

The Fund also provided grants to the following stations: Akrotiri, Benson, Falklands, Boscombe Down, Chicksands, Coningsby, Cosford, Cranwell, Digby, Whittington, Flyingdales, Halton, Henlow, High Wycombe, Leeming, Lossiemouth, Marham, Odiham, Shawsbury, Spadeadam, St Mawgan, Swanick, Valley, Waddington, Wittering and Wyton.