“The Fund has supported my wife and I for 25 years”

RAF veteran Alex has experienced a myriad of health issues over the past 25 years, but the RAF Benevolent Fund has remained by her side. With mobility assistance, housing and financial support from the Fund, Alex and her wife Kim are grateful for the lifeline the Fund provides.

RAF veteran Alex Hartfield-Hoad joined the RAF in 1990 working as a Telecommunications Operator. When Alex injured her back during a basic training exercise at the beginning of her career, she discovered she could only be stationed in the UK. She spent her nine-year career based at RAF Leeming, RAF Innsworth, Brize Norton and finally RAF Marham in Norfolk – where she decided to stay permanently.

Alex, 57, now lives in Middleton with her wife Kim. The couple have been married for 15 years and are both living with their own health problems.

Alex was medically discharged from service due to deteriorating health caused by her back problems. She said: “When I knew I was being medically discharged, I had already bought my own home in Swaffham, but due to the state of my health I realised I wasn’t going to be able to live there anymore, as I was finding it harder and harder to go up the stairs. I also realised I wouldn’t be able to afford to pay the mortgage anymore.

“It was through SSAFA that I found out about The RAF Benevolent Fund. The Fund bought me a bungalow and adapted it to meet my needs. I’ve had my bathroom altered with the sink raised and grab rails installed, as well as adaptations to the kitchen to adjust the height of everything and make it more accessible for me.”

She continued: “Over the past 25 years the Fund has been there for me consistently. I have a beautiful recliner armchair, an electronic bed and Kim has a matching single bed next to me, so that we can sleep side by side. My legs are hypersensitive, and I am often in a lot of pain, so sharing a bed is not possible.”

Due to her ongoing health problems, Alex has struggled with depression over the years. She was encouraged to take up a hobby and, inspired by the London 2012 Paralympic Games, decided to join an archery class.

She said: “As I started to become more proficient in archery going to training camps once a month, I began training for the Invictus Games – but I needed a decent bow which I couldn’t afford. I received a grant from the Fund which paid for a wonderful bow and all the kit I needed. This enabled me to go to America twice, where I participated in the Warrior Games in New York and Chicago. I didn’t win any medals, but it was a truly amazing experience, one that would never would have been possible without the support and generosity of the Fund.
Alex has also been supported with mobility scooters since 2012 and uses a wheelchair at home.

Alongside her limited mobility, Alex has pleurisy which affects her breathing, and she also suffers with migraines. She said: “In 2017 I started to get migraines and it’s taken quite a long time for the hospital to help. I’ve finally got them under control but the medication has hindered my speech; I get brain fog and extreme fatigue – I can fall asleep whilst eating dinner or mid-conversation. Although I no longer have migraines, I now have to put up with all the side effects.”

Alex is supported by Kim, but also has a carer for five hours a day. Her health problems mean that she cannot cook unsupervised, or even make a cup of tea.

Alex reflected on the impact of the support she has received: “Each time I am offered something from the Fund I am so grateful. Sometimes I can’t believe that they are willing to give me the help when it feels like the rest of the world around me is taking stuff away from me – because of my deteriorating health.

“The Fund makes you feel like part of a big family. It makes me feel as though I matter, and they are always there whenever I need them. We both thank you for making our lives so much better, and we know that if we ever need help, we can always ask the Fund.”