I'm over the moon with what the Fund has done for me

With a garage door which was dangerous to use and no funds to repair it, Second World War veteran Dennis Pearcy turned to the RAF Benevolent Fund for help.

Dennis said: "My old garage door was falling to bits and had rusted through. I was frightened to open it in case it shut on me.

"The new door has made a real difference, it's brilliant. I feel safer now too, knowing the garage door is secure. I keep my mobility scooter in there so I can get out and about. Although I've only been to hospital since March! But I hope to get out on my scooter soon."

Dennis, 94, served as a pilot during the Second World War, flying P51C Mustangs until he was shot down over occupied France. He was badly injured in the crash and spent the last year of the war in hospital near Bordeaux recovering from spinal injuries. When the end of the war came, he was repatriated to Rauceby Hospital in Lincolnshire where he recovered to continue his RAF career until 1947.

Dennis applied for help from the Fund after his friend Elaine Spence spotted a TV advert for the Fund's centenary campaign to reach 100,000s of veterans who are in need of support but unaware the Fund is there to help.

Elaine said: "Dennis didn't know how he was going to pay for the new garage door when I spotted the TV advert."

Dennis added: "I am over the moon with what the RAF Benevolent Fund have done for me."