Guests attending our RAF Benevolent Fund Garden

The RAF Benevolent Fund is excited to announce three celebrities who will be attending the RAF Benevolent Fund garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show during press day (23 May). Actor Colin McFarlane, actress Sue Holderness, and TV presenter Charlene White, who all have personal links to the RAF, will be performing readings at the garden. 

Colin McFarlane

Hollywood actor Colin McFarlane, who appeared in The Dark Knight Trilogy, will be at the RAF Benevolent Fund garden on press day. Colin's father Sidney is a member of the RAF Family, having been called up under National Service laws and staying for a 30-year career, resulting in him being awarded an MBE in 2021 for his service in the Armed Forces.

Colin said: "My father is a true inspiration – he served in the personnel and administration branch throughout his RAF career. He worked his way up from the bottom, got commended for meritorious service at every NCO (non-commissioned officer) rank and was the first black officer I ever saw when growing up on RAF bases; eventually reaching the rank of Squadron Leader."
He added:  "The RAF Benevolent Fund has supported my father over the years, and I’m thrilled to be able to perform a poignant reading at the garden during this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, highlighting the service and sacrifice of all RAF veterans and personnel."

Sue Holderness

The RAF has always been a big part of actress Sue Holderness' life, with her father and uncles serving in the Second World War. Sue, who starred as Marlene in Only Fools and Horses.

Sue said: "My father and two of his brothers all flew with the RAF. As soon as war was declared they joined the RAF – my father, Anthony, in Bomber Command; his brother Hardwicke, in Coastal Command; and his brother John, in Fighter Command. My father flew first with 248 Blenheim Fighter Squadron, then, later, with Bomber Command, flying mosquitoes with 239 Squadron, an aeroplane I know he loved."
She added: "I wish now that we had spoken more with all three of them about their wartime experiences. I realise (and so did they) how lucky we are that all three of them survived. They were, all three, enormous fun. But also, of course, like all those RAF pilots, they were such brave young men, and the sculpture at the RAF Benevolent Fund Garden reminds me of that. I’m looking forward to paying tribute to them and all other RAF veterans at the garden at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show."

Charlene White

TV presenter Charlene White will be at the RAF Benevolent Fund garden for press day, where she will be performing a reading. Both Charlene’s father and uncle served in the military, for the RAF and Army respectively.
She said: "My father, Denniston White, served in the RAF for five and a half years as a Senior Aircraftman (SAC). I am incredibly proud of my family's military service and the fact they answered their country's call."
She added: "The RAF Benevolent Fund garden is a moving tribute to the RAF Family, and I am thrilled to be a part of it to inspire viewers to look into their own history and speak to family and friends about their connections to the RAF."