“I knew that as a veteran I could get support from the Fund”

When RAF veteran David Cumberland lost his civilian job, the uncertainty for his family was weighing him down. David was supported by the RAF Benevolent Fund during this challenging time and, 11 years later, he took on a fundraising challenge to give back.

Senior Aircraftsman David Cumberland served in the RAF for nine years as a Logistics Supplier. Based out of RAF Marham, David sourced materials for aircraft across the world and served on operations in Iraq and Aghanistan. David enjoyed the travel, camaraderie and team spirit in the RAF, and met his wife Suzi whilst training at RAF Halton.

David and Suzi married in 2004 and had three children. David left the RAF in 2011 and moved into a new role as a warehouse manager at Farnborough Airport. In 2012, Suzi left the RAF too, and the family moved to Devon.

When David started a new but similar role at a healthcare firm in Devon, just six months later, the company went into liquidation. David said: “I’d never been out of work before. The initial state of panic hit me, we had three children to feed, rent to pay – I was ringing the job centre not knowing what to do."

Throughout his service, David donated to the Fund through the Service Days Pay Giving Scheme. “I knew that as a veteran I could get support from the Fund. I reached out and a caseworker came to visit me at home and signposted me to job boards, shared advice about speaking to my landlord and the financial support available.

“It was whilst sitting at my dining table that they noticed our washing machine bouncing around the kitchen. They said that the Fund would be able to help us with a grant for a new one, and a few days later we had our new machine delivered.”

David said: “That was such a valuable hour spent in my dining room. Having the Fund to turn to meant so much, knowing that there was someone out there that could support and listen. If I were ever to be in trouble, the first people I’d call would be the Fund. It was a small donation but a huge help for my family.”

In 2024, David completed the Leicester Half Marathon, raising over £300 for the Fund. He said: “It was the first time I’d raised money on a run; I wanted to give something back after the Fund was there for me and my family.”