Volunteers’ Week: Q&A with the Fund’s ambassadors

Our ambassadors come from a wide range of backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common – they want to support the Fund and give something back. To mark Volunteers’ Week (June 3-9), we spoke with RAF veterans and Fund ambassadors Mike Goody, Matt Neve, Joanna Martin, Carl Harding and Dave Rose.
 

What sort of activities do you do volunteering as an ambassador for the Fund?

Mike: I do a lot of school and organisation talks. I often speak about disability, covering themes of ‘Adapt and Overcome’ / Per Ardua. And sometimes I do more formal talks for the Fund too.

Dave: I’ve supported the Fund through a variety of activities and events, whether it be a meal with corporate companies, or speaking at a wellbeing holiday for veterans.

Joanna: I mainly speak at events, network with people and generally spread the word about the work the Fund does.

Matt: I have done various activities from standing up at events to tell my story to taking part in fundraising events like the Dambusters Ride.

What have been some of your highlights?

Dave: The highlight isn’t necessarily the venue, it’s usually the people who are there and the interaction we have. It’s extra special if one or more of my fellow ambassadors are attending.

Carl: I’ve had the opportunity of meeting some RAF veterans who have done extraordinary things. Meeting these people is truly inspiring and emphasises the importance of the Fund and my very small part in supporting it.

Matt: The highlights for me are always hearing the stories from the older generation.

Why did you want to be an ambassador for the Fund?

Matt: It’s my way of giving something back. The Fund has helped me get my life back on track so this is my way of helping others who may be in a similar situation to what I was in.

Dave: It’s simple – it’s a way of raising awareness and hopefully encouraging more people to come forward for help. It also helps increase income for the Fund so more can be done. Becoming an ambassador has been beneficial for my mental health and coming to terms with my lifelong disability. It has encouraged me to step forward rather than step back, and mingle with others overcoming adversity, including fellow ambassadors and others I meet at events.

Carl: I wanted to help the Fund in any way I could, helping others who need support, whether they are serving or retired. I started by helping with presentations at RAF College Cranwell and then the ambassador system was set up, and I was lucky enough to be given a place.

Mike: After being injured quite severely on deployment, the Fund has been so supportive to my family and I. Since then, I have seen more in depth who and how the Fund helps, and I know first-hand the difference it can make. Being an ambassador is a way for me to give back what’s been done to help assist my family and I.

What would you say to others thinking of becoming a volunteer for the Fund?

Joanna: The Fund is a lovely, friendly charity to volunteer with and the work the Fund does is widespread and life-changing for people. It’s very worthwhile and rewarding.

Dave: Volunteering is very rewarding. I’d recommend to take your time to understand the role and whether it suits you. There are many different ways in which you can help out.

Mike: The more awareness that can be established about how and who the Fund can help, the more former and current serving personnel can be supported. That can't be done without the great help and assistance from volunteers who have perhaps experienced the Fund’s great work or just want to help people who might need it.

You can find out more about our volunteering opportunities available at the Fund here.