Help us find National Service veterans in need

This New Year's Day marked the 70th anniversary of the enactment of the National Service Act, which led to more than two million young men being conscripted into the British Armed Forces. 

On this anniversary, the RAF Benevolent Fund, the RAF's leading welfare charity, is launching a public appeal to find National Service RAF veterans. 

The one-time conscripts are now reaching older age. Many face the challenges of later life, such as declining health, and loneliness and isolation. 

RAF National Service veterans, and their dependants, are eligible for support from the RAF Benevolent Fund. The Fund, which is celebrating its centenary year, is encouraging members of the public to help them find these people, so they can gain the support their service deserves.

Air Vice-Marshal David Murray, Chief Executive of the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: "National Service was a defining experience for a generation, both for the young men who served and their families and partners who supported them. Now, as this generation reaches older age, they face new challenges.

"The RAF Benevolent Fund believes that no veteran should be left fighting alone, whether that be in the face of financial, emotional or health problems. Too many of the National Servicemen I meet do not class themselves as veterans and believe they are not deserving of this support. This couldn't be further from the truth, they did their duty – now we, as a society, must do ours.

"We need your help to find these people so we can give them the support their service deserves."

If you know an RAF veteran in need of support please call our free helpline on 0300 102 1919.