How the RAF Benevolent Fund supported the RAF Family in 2022

The RAF Benevolent Fund has released its 2022 Impact Report, highlighting how it has continued to support members of the RAF Family in 2022 through practical, emotional, and financial support.

The Fund helped over 40,000 members of the RAF Family in 2022, including over 24,000 serving personnel and their families, and over 16,700 veterans and their families, with a huge 96 per cent of beneficiaries saying the Fund improved their quality of life.

Ensuring every member of the RAF Family can get tailor-made support quickly and efficiently is a key part of the Fund's new strategy, 'Shaping The Future', through to 2026.

The support for those who are serving or retired ranges far and wide – from financial help to make it through the cost-of-living crisis, to subsidised breaks away, relationship support, mobility and care equipment and the Fund's Listening and Counselling service. 

Air Vice-Marshal Chris Elliot, Controller of the RAF Benevolent Fund reflected on how the Fund continues to support the RAF Family now and into the future, saying: "Our new strategy stood us in good stead during its first year, helping us to spend £17.5M to support more than 40,700 veterans, serving personnel and their families through another tough year."

Chris continued: "With the cost-of-living crisis hitting hard and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic still lingering, more working-age and serving RAF Family members came to us not only for financial help, but for emotional support too. We were ready to respond to this increased need, while continuing to support the veteran community, many of whom also found themselves struggling."

Richard Daniel, Chair of the RAF Benevolent Fund said: "Our ability to support the RAF Family in so many powerful ways was only possible because of our amazing supporters. Thank you to every one of you who helped us raise £16.7M to support the RAF Family over the year – £0.4M more than last year. 

"Despite these achievements, 2022 was difficult for us all at the Fund. Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was our Patron for 70 years, and an ardent supporter of the RAF Family and everyone who served our country. As we move forward, we will endeavour to embody Her late Majesty's spirit of commitment and passion as we strive to support the RAF Family far into the future."

The Fund supported beneficiary Davina Griffiths to stay comfortable at home after a life-threatening illness. Davina's daughter Charlie said: "The support we’ve received means more than just a charity helping mum through her illness – it means that the service my father provided to the RAF is still paying off today."

Former RAF Sergeant Leroy Francis, who has multiple sclerosis, explained how the Fund provided him with equipment to adapt his home. He said: "The support the Fund has provided has been second to none, including converting my bathroom into a wet room and providing me with an orthopaedic bed. I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without it."

The RAF Benevolent Fund Impact Report 2022 is available to read here.