Take a group of fans of ‘Dads Army’, add a few period vehicles, some old uniforms and a digital video camera and you have the unique Barmy Army Film Club.
Since its formation in 1987, the club has produced five of its own comedy dramas set on the British Home Front during World War 2.
The Club have created videotaped interviews with Jimmy Perry, the writer of the ‘dads Army’ television series and also Colin Bean the actor who played Private Enoch Sponge.
The RAF Benevolent Fund is very lucky to have received the support of the Barmy Army Film Club over a number of years. I met with the Club in December down in Maidstone, Kent, where they very kindly presented a cheque for £750.00 to the Fund.
The Barmy Army Film Club plan to continue to raise money for us and we are extremely grateful for their support. Check out their website at http://www.barmyarmyfilmclub.com to find out more and where you are able to see them.

We have places available for the 5k and 10k ‘off-road’ series runs on Saturday 27th March 2010 near Redhill in Surrey. The event is organised by British Military Fitness on a real 4×4 off-road track.
It’s tough, it’s muddy, it’s wet, it’s off-road, there are obstacles……but it’s fun!
If you would like to run and raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund then please get in touch with Rosie Gibbons on 07525 800138 or at rosie.gibbons@rafbf.org.uk


Will YOU brave The Bridge?
If you’re an adrenalin junkie and fancy the ultimate abseil challenge, the Forth Bridge awaits!
- 165 foot free-fall abseil
- All training provided
- Minimum age limit 16
- Minimum sponsorship £120
Limited places available so get in touch ASAP.
For more information contact Helen Bain on 07894 479391 or at helen.bain@rafbf.org.uk
In December, the Commandant of DCAE Cosford, Air Commodore C H Green, presented a cheque on behalf of the Cosford Charities Committee to Martin Henshaw, the RAFBF’s Regional Director for Wales and the West of England.
Martin said: “It is great to see the support the RAF Benevolent Fund receives from those serving in the RAF. This very generous donation is greatly appreciated and will be wisely used.”

The RAF Falcons, the world’s leading parachute display team, will take part in a testing 24 Hour challenge on 15th and 16th May this year, to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund (RAFBF). The event, which takes place in Kent, will see all 14 members of the team run the course in aid of the RAFBF, the Falcon’s chosen charity for 2010.
CPL Brian Wright said:
“The RAF Falcons are immensely proud to be supporting the RAF Benevolent Fund for the 2010 season, and look forward to promoting the charity and the good work it does all over the country. Every year we aim to aid our chosen charity with a large scale fundraising event alongside the collections we take at displays throughout the season and for our main event this year we are undertaking the 24 hour running challenge. The Team now have five months to train for this event which will have to fit in around our parachute training for the forthcoming season.”

Join TEAM RAFBF for "A Run to Remember"!
Join TEAM RAFBF for “A Run to Remember” in Edinburgh on SUNDAY 23rd May 2010!
The Edinburgh Marathon, Scottish Half Marathon and Hairy Haggis Team Relay follow a course which takes in some of Edinburgh’s most famous landmarks as well as the beautiful coastlines of East Lothian. What’s more, it’s the flattest and fastest m…arathon course in the UK!
As a member of TEAM RAFBF you’ll enjoy a full package of support including:
- A training plan to suit your distance
- Unlimited fundraising advice and our own RAFBF Fundraising Pack
- A Team RAFBF running vest
- Support on the day to cheer you over that finish line!
For entry details contact Helen Bain T: 07894 479391 E: helen.bain@rafbf.org.uk
For more information visit: www.edinburgh-marathon.com

ULAS Carollers at Kings Cross
Members of the University of London Air Squadron (ULAS) brought some festive cheer to commuters on Wednesday 16th December, by carol singing at London’s Kings Cross station.
The 20 singers and three violinists performed for four hours, decked out in RAFBF stickers and badges. A fantastic total of £354.90 was raised and the Squadron have several more fundraising ideas in the pipeline.
Thanks guys!



- Off Cdt Alex Hall on violin
On Saturday 12th December 2009, St George’s Club held a Christmas Ball at the Abbey Hotel, Malvern. We were delighted to be able to hold an Auction at this event to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund.
The event was a supersonic huge success and raised £5490.30 for the fund. We would like to extend our thanks to Don Burt and Chris Lavender for the superb organisation and for making us feel so welcome. Also for the huge generousity that they, along with St George’s Club have shown the Benevolent fund this year. This year St George’s Club have raised over £19,000.00 for us and I’m sure you will agree that during a reccession, that is pretty impressive!!
Thank you Don & Chris for your continued support, it really does mean the world to us.

Volunteers Hannah & Tania, Cerys, Chris, Rosie, volunteer Jean and Nikki celebrating the fantastic amount raised!
UK Mobile Air Movements Squadron (UKMAMS) presented Nicola James with a cheque for £1,000. The Chairman Colin Allen MBE, welcomed Nicola to the RAFA club in Swindon on 9th Dec to meet members of UKMAMS. Another guest at the club was Wing Commander Andy Killey OC No 1 Air Mobility Wing (1 AMW) based at Lyneham . In a previous life 1 AMW operated in the guise of UKMAMS so it was great to meet Andy and talk about how times have changed.

Mark by the Med
After weeks of training, on Tuesday 15 September, Corporal Mark Bowman set out on a 1000km bike ride in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund.
Mark cycled from Mons in Belgium to the French coast of the Mediterranean armed with a compass, his car sat nav and a rough route on over 12 pages photocopied from his friend’s French road atlas.
Mark is based at NCSA Sector Mons from which he set out with 40kgs of kit. Rising before daylight every morning, he survived on chicken salad sandwiches and twice daily Isostar drinks to replenish the minerals he lost through sweating. The distance took him a total of 7 days, 5 hours and 3 minutes.
Mark said of arriving at the coast: “Tired, weary, sore, stiff, slightly dehydrated, my toe felt as though it needed amputating and my knees were throbbing.”
His journey was a great physical and mental challenge and Mark managed to raise a fantastic £389.54 for the RAFBF.