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RAF charity supports RAF Brize Norton £23K youth club renovation

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A £23,000 refurbishment project at RAF Brize Norton has revamped The Flat, its Airplay Senior Youth Club. The renovation was supported by a £5,000 grant from the RAF Benevolent Fund, the RAF's leading welfare charity.

The upgrade project included improving kitchen facilities so the youth club can host cooking sessions and renovating the garden by adding a corner patio and raised beds for gardening. The new space means the youth club should be able to open once COVID-19 restrictions are loosened as there is now a large, usable outside space with seating and rain cover.

Group Captain Emily Flynn, Station Commander at RAF Brize Norton, said: "Our continued thanks to the RAF Benevolent Fund for supporting RAF Brize Norton and its community. In addition to funding Community Support initiatives and facilities, the Fund offers invaluable financial, emotional, and practical assistance to serving and retired RAF personnel and their families.

"The Flat is usually home to the Station's Airplay sessions, a youth support programme for RAF families that provides youth clubs funded by the Fund, and the refurbishment will be complete ready to welcome young people back when we can. We're particularly thankful to the Fund for how they've supported RAF children and young people during the pandemic by launching Airplay Connect, an online version of the Airplay service, and expanding their Listening and Counselling service to include young people aged 11 to 18."

Air Vice-Marshal Chris Elliot, Controller of the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: "I'm thrilled we've been able to support the refurbishment of RAF Brize Norton's Airplay Senior Youth Club. The pandemic has been tough for everyone, but young people have been particularly affected, so as soon as the youth club is able to re-open I know it will be hugely popular with teens at the station.

"As a parent who served, I know first-hand what an incredible support the Airplay project is for children and young people growing up on RAF stations."