Runners of all abilities are being encouraged to don Santa suits to raise vital funds for the RAF Association in the lead up to Christmas.
Serving RAF personnel and their families are invited to register for one of the charity’s Santa fun runs taking place on stations in December. Entry costs £10 per person, and participants are then asked to raise as much sponsor money as they can.
All the funds raised will help the RAF Association to continue its support for serving and ex-personnel and their families. Its projects range from bedtime stories for the young children of personnel away on duty to sheltered housing for veterans.
The Association’s Challenge Events Manager, Helen Tempest, said: “Building on the success of previous events, we’re really excited to get started on another year of Santa runs.
“These events are only open to serving personnel and their families, and, as places are limited, we’re advising people to register as soon as they can.”
The charity, which will provide Santa suits for all runners, is urging those who are interested to join with their colleagues and friends to make one of the runs part of their pre-Christmas celebrations.
The dates and locations are:
- 4 December 2018 – RAF Scampton
- 5 December 2018 – RAF Wittering
- 5 December 2018 – RAF College Cranwell
- 6 December 2018 – RAF Benson
- 6 December 2018 – RAF Boulmer
- 7 December 2018 – RAF Leeming
- 10 December 2018 – RAF Cosford
- 18 December 2018 – RAF Linton-on-Ouse
Runs will also be held at RAF Brize Norton, RAF Shrivenham and RAF St Mawgan in the UK, and at RAF Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands. Look out on social media and station noticeboards for event dates at these locations.
Anyone interested in taking part should contact their local RAF Association Liaison Officer (RAFALO) for more information.
The RAF Association runs a variety of other challenge events throughout the year, and information about these can be found at rafa.org.uk/get-involved/challenge-events.
Notes to editors:
Contacts
- Rachel Dalby, PR Manager, RAF Association – 0116 464 5034 or dalby@rafa.org.uk
- Joseph Doyle, PR Assistant, RAF Association – 0116 268 8755 or doyle@rafa.org.uk
About the Royal Air Forces Association
The Royal Air Forces Association (or RAF Association) is a membership organisation and registered charity that provides welfare support to the RAF family.
The Association recognises that RAF personnel and their immediate families dedicate their lives to their country, and we believe that such a sacrifice should not result in suffering, poverty or loneliness.
Whether it’s an injured airman or woman fighting to get back on their feet, a young child missing their parent away on overseas operations, or a World War II veteran needing a shoulder to lean on, we are here to help all generations of RAF personnel and their families. We also support serving families if they need us. We give practical, emotional and financial support.
Our membership of more than 72,000 includes serving RAF personnel, veterans and members of the public who want to show their support for the work that we do.
Across the UK in 2017 the Association carried out more than 115,000 welfare contacts, calls and visits, helped tell thousands of bedtime stories to children whose parents were away on operations, and gave tailored holidays to 2,500 RAF veterans, widows and family at our Wings Breaks hotels. Our support ranges from simply providing conversation and friendship to preparing and submitting application forms for financial assistance.
Charity numbers: 226686 (England and Wales), SCO37673 (Scotland).
