Fund to administer Alexander Duckham Memorial Schools Trust grants programme

The RAF Benevolent Fund will now be undertaking grant-making on behalf of Alexander Duckham Memorial Schools Trust, following an agreement on 12 September 2024.

The Alexander Duckham Memorial Schools Trust (ADMST) promotes the education and welfare of children from the serving and former serving RAF community who are in need of financial assistance.

Grants are provided for a variety of educational needs, including school fees that cannot be fulfilled in the state system, lessons, or treatment for those with physical or learning disabilities, school uniform and equipment among other requirements.

The Trust is named after Alexander Duckham, who founded Duckham's Motor Oils in 1899. As well as being a successful businessman, Alexander was an early aviation pioneer and generously donated his home, Vanbrugh Castle, to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund for use as a school for boys whose fathers had been killed in the Second World War. On 1 September 1997, the ADMST was established by a Charity Commission Scheme.

Air Commodore Simon Harper, Director of Grants, Services and Programmes at the Fund, said: “We are pleased to be administering ADMST’s grants programme on their behalf, being the first point of contact for members of the RAF Family seeking financial assistance towards educational costs.

“With a long history supporting the educational needs of the RAF Family, the collaboration of the RAF Benevolent Fund and ADMST will enhance the support we provide to the RAF Family.”