RAF Benevolent Fund trustee receives MBE at Buckingham Palace

Air Vice-Marshal Simon Dougherty, the RAF Benevolent Fund's longest-standing trustee, has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his service to the Armed Forces community and military charities. He received his honour from the Duke of Cambridge at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 25 February 2020.

AVM Dougherty, who lives in Essex, enjoyed a 40-year career in the Royal Air Force before volunteering for the RAF Benevolent Fund as its Medical Advisor in 2010. He then joined the Fund’s Board of Trustees in 2012 and became Chairman of the Main Grants Committee and the Welfare Committee.

AVM Dougherty said: "It was an absolute honour to receive my MBE at Buckingham Palace earlier this week. It truly highlights the value placed on military charities and the important support they provide to the wider military community.

"I spent my career focusing on the welfare and wellbeing of those serving in the Royal Air Force, so to be recognised for my ongoing support to the RAF Family through my work with the RAF Benevolent Fund is quite remarkable."

Alongside his work for the Fund, AVM Dougherty has supported several other military charities including as Governor (trustee) of Royal Star and Garter Homes for 15 years and Honorary Air Commodore of 4626 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force. AVM Dougherty is also a governor at Framlingham College and serves as vice-chairman of his local parish council.

Air Vice-Marshal David Murray, Chief Executive of the Fund, thanked AVM Dougherty for his many years of service. He added: "Simon Dougherty has demonstrated incredible commitment, loyalty and passion for our cause – to prevent any member of the RAF Family from ever having to face adversity alone. This has required a huge investment of his own time, effort and energy to support members of the RAF Family who are in need.

"He is simply tireless in his support for us and our beneficiaries, with no task or event too big or indeed too small. He selflessly gives massive amounts of his own time both personally contributing as well as encouraging and supporting others in their work. His outstanding overall contribution to the service and charitable sector is entirely deserving of national recognition."