“The Fund’s support was key to my recovery following a traumatic bike accident”

In 2015, a horrific bike accident left Glen Evans in a coma, with months of recovery ahead of him. The RAF Benevolent Fund helped him in his hour of need, ensuring his family were quickly at his bedside.

Chief Technician Glen Evans joined the RAF in November 2000 and, 24 years later, is now based at RAF Coningsby as an engineering operations controller. Glen previously served at RAF Brize Norton with 47 Squadron Hercules, working with the iconic C-130 Hercules aircraft that retired from service in 2023.

In April 2015, whilst stationed at RAF Marham, Glen was headed out on his motorbike three miles from base when he hit a bump in the road and lost control of the bike.

Glen said: “The motorbike hit me in the face which knocked me out and I fell headfirst into the road. I suffered a traumatic brain injury because of the impact and was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge in a critical condition.

“Physically, I had broken my nose, was heavily bruised and very sore. The brain injury had left me with memory loss; I had no recollection of the accident and even struggled with recalling people’s names and events from my past. I remember asking why I was in hospital and didn’t believe the nurse when she told me what had happened.”

Glen reflected: “It could have been career-ending for me. There was an element of uncertainty towards my future in the RAF. I knew that my recovery would determine my future.”

The RAF Benevolent Fund stepped in providing financial support to allow Glen’s parents to fly down from Scotland to be at his bedside, with accommodation, food and taxis paid for to ease the strain.

Glen said: “Having my family there to support me, and to support each other, was key to my recovery. It was reassuring to know the family were well looked after.

“I’d started to withdraw and would pretend I was asleep so I didn’t have to speak to people and would try to miss meals. Knowing my family were there to visit each day gave me something to look forward to and motivated me to engage with people.”

After two and a half months of recovery in hospital and at home, Glen was able to return to work. He continued: “I have now made a full recovery, and ever since then, have been raising money for the Fund to give back. I’ve been able to take part in several runs over the years including the Bristol and Oxford Half Marathons and the RAF Coningsby Colour Run in 2024. It is the very least that I could do.”

Glen concluded: “Before this happened to me, I had heard of the RAF Benevolent Fund but never fully knew the level of support they could provide. But now I tell all of my colleagues and friends about how they helped me and my family. I always say: ‘Get involved with the Fund, it happened to me, and it could happen to you.’"