The UK Airsoft Ladies (UKAL) recently hosted a successful charity weekender at Skirmish Wycombe on the 6 and 7 July 2024, raising funds for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. Founded in 2022, UKAL aims to create a supportive and inclusive community for women in the airsoft sport.
UKAL, with around 300 members, strives to introduce and encourage more women to join airsoft, a predominantly male-dominated sport that uses low-powered realistic imitation firearms firing 6mm plastic BBs, often replicas of real firearms, in competitive team combat. Many of its members have military backgrounds or connections, aligning perfectly with SSAFA’s mission of supporting serving members, veterans, and their families.
The charity weekender featured tickets available for the entire weekend, as well as single-day tickets for Saturday or Sunday. Camping tickets were also available with over £5,000 worth of prizes donated for a raffle; all proceeds went to support SSAFA. The event was open to everyone, whether a first-timer or a seasoned player, and limited rental tickets were available for those needing to hire guns and essential safety gear. The event raised £3,000 for SSAFA, and donations are still coming in. Although UKAL has smashed the target set, donations can still be made to support SSAFA’s work.
With many airsofters being serving members or veterans of the Armed Forces, SSAFA was a fitting charity for UKAL to support. The community includes members like Monie, who has family in the Royal Marines and Army; Beth, who has some military service and has family currently serving; and Gem, a nurse whose partner has joined the Royal Artillery Reserves and who has friends in the Royal Signals.
