Spitfire Ale are offering the chance to win a day with the Red Arrows at an RAF station. This is a chance to experience a day in the life of the world's premier aerobatic display team. You'll have a close-up view of a practice display and meet pilots and aircrew for briefings and lunch. To enter the competition all you need to do is register on the Spitfire Ale website before 31 March 2009. 

Members of 43 (Fighter) Squadron based at RAF Leuchars have raised a grand total of £60,000 for the RAF Benevolent Fund. Over a two-day period, the Squadron ran the 'Gamecocks Invitational' event that gave industry leaders a chance to join them for golf, fine dining overlooking St Andrews Bay, an experience of the latest Bentley rally car, and a flight in the Tornado simulator.

43 Squadron were presented with the Freedom of the City of Stirling at a ceremony and parade in Stirling Castle on 5 February before departing for Nevada to take part in Exercise Red Flag.

Scarborough is the latest Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) to open a Benefits and Money Advice Service, in association with the Royal British Legion and the RAF Benevolent Fund. There are now 30 CABs participating in this scheme to offer specialist advice to serving and ex-Service personnel, with a further 15 currently being planned.

Aviation News is the UK's longest running monthly aviation magazine, mixing features on aviation's past, present and future. Aviation News is offering RAF Benevolent Fund supporters a 10% discount on subscriptions to the magazine, while at the same time giving a further 10% donation to the RAF Benevolent Fund. The offer also applies to sister publications, 'Shipping Today & Yesterday' and 'Warships International Fleet Review'.

To take advantage of the offer, visit the Aviation News website and enter RBF as the discount code when purchasing a subscription. This discount code can also be used when buying a subscription by phone or post.  

Martin Henshaw, Regional Director for Wales and the West, delivered a brand new minibus to Sandpipers Centre in Southport. Sandpipers Centre, run by Vitalise, is a respite care home suitable for adults of any age with physical disabilities. They also work with the Alzheimer's Society to offer specific weeks for guests with Alzheimer's/dementia and their carers. The minibus was paid for with part of a special donation made by the RAF Benevolent Fund in recognition of the contribution the centre makes in supporting ex-RAF personnel. 

A 90th anniversary airshow is taking place on 1 August 2009 at East Kirkby in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund. The show will include vintage and modern aircraft, as well as stalls and entertainment. Gemma Mahon, Regional Fundraiser, is looking for volunteers to help on the day - to find out more, please contact Gemma on 0789 4479429 or by email at Gemma.Mahon@rafbf.org.uk.

Veterans Minister Kevan Jones has launched plans for the first ever national Armed Forces Day to take place on 27 June 2009. Armed Forces Day, a development of Veterans Day, will continue to recognise veterans while also paying tribute to serving personnel and the wider Service community. Chatham has been selected to host the main event, though there will be hundreds of smaller events in towns and cities across the UK.

RAF veteran Robin Green, who took part in the launch event on 22 January, said: 'The planned events will provide a real boost to morale among the Armed Forces community and it is good to know that our hard work and efforts are being recognised.'  

During service in the RAF Regiment, Anthony Goulding began drawing caricatures of fellow members of the RAF. Now a professional artist, he offers collections of caricatures painted to order for both serving and retired members of the Armed Forces. His accurate and tasteful caricatures can be adapted to all situations, uniforms and branches of the Services. Caricatures can also be printed directly onto calendars, canvas, coasters, place mats and clocks. For orders received via the RAF Benevolent Fund, Anthony will donate 10% of the value of the order to us - so please mention the RAF Benevolent Fund if you place an order on his website at www.caricatureart.co.uk. 

Group Captain Bob Kemp has been appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, though he will continue in his role of RAF Benevolent Fund Regional Director for Scotland and North England. The role of a Deputy Lieutenant, dating back to 1569, is to assist the Lord Lieutenant in the execution of his duties, including escorting members of the Royal Family, presenting medals and awards, and participating in civic, voluntary and social activities. The prestigious honour has been approved by the Queen and will be conferred in a ceremony in Edinburgh later this month.

Why not donate by recycling your old inkjet printer cartridges? Send us an email with your name and address and we'll send you a prepaid, pre-addressed recycling bag. You then put your old cartridges in the bag and return them in the post - no stamps are required.

We earn £1 for every inkjet printer cartridge you send us. The money helps to fund our vital welfare work, and recycling helps conserve our planet for the future. (Unfortunately, at present we can't recycle Epson cartridges.)

The official 2009 Defence Discount Directory for veterans and their families is now available for free by post from:

Veterans Department
Crest Publications Ltd
20 Moulton Park Office Village
Scirocco Close
Northampton NN3 6AP

You can also find discounts on their updated website www.forces-discounts-mod.co.uk

It is with great disappointment that the RAF Benevolent Fund and RAF Sports Board announce the postponement of the RAF Sporting Champions Awards 2009.

Unfortunately, due to the present economic situation, and resulting constraints on corporate budgets, the awards' planners have been unable to secure the total sponsorship necessary for the event to go ahead. The RAF Benevolent Fund and the RAF Sports Board apologise to all those who have made nominations and assure them that the Sporting Champions Awards will proceed as soon as the financial climate allows.

If you have any questions, please contact Tano Rea on 020 7307 3307 or tano.rea@rafbf.org.uk 

Thanks to Nigel Dale who responded to our item in December's Enews about the new limited edition print in our online shop depicting Sir Hugh Dowding. Nigel correctly pointed out that Sir Hugh Dowding was never ultimately given the rank of MRAF, but remained Air Chief Marshall. As Captain Mainwaring says, 'Ah, I was wondering when you were going to spot that.'

Making a donation online is the most effective way to support the Fund as it saves time and money. We use a leading donation processing agency called Justgiving to ensure that your gift is handled securely and efficiently. What's more, if you are a UK taxpayer, Justgiving will automatically add a 28% tax bonus to your donation at no cost to you!

A secure online credit card donation can be made by clicking the button above.