When Jean Wheeldon's husband, Ken, suffered a stroke it placed an enormous strain on Jean. Ken experienced memory loss, became easily confused, had to be in a wheelchair if he left the house, and could not be left alone at any time.

Jean found herself giving 24 hour care to her 87 year old husband, desite being 80 herself and suffering her own mobility problems. The council started to provide care for three nights a week and Ken's family helped out where they could, but the strain was still too much for Jean.

At this point Jean was put in touch with the RAF Benevolent Fund. Ken served in the RAF Regiment during the Second World War, landing with American forces at Omaha beach on D-Day. After assessing Jean's situation, we agreed to pay for an additional night's care every week to ease the pressure. Now, eight months later, the help is no longer needed, as Ken has made a tremendous recovery.

Jean said, "We are so grateful for the help we received. It helped to take some of the weight off my shoulders and keep Ken cared for properly at home. I can't thank the RAFBF enough."

Our regional fundraisers are putting all their effort into making our 90th year one of the most successful. If you want to keep up with their work, why not take a look at our Fundraising blog?

You'll find inspiring stories of fundraising challenges and supporters who have raised money for us, information about upcoming events, as well as a glimpse into the daily lives of our regional teams.

Following the RAF Benevolent Fund's financial support to Scottish Veterans' Housing Association, Alex Neil MSP, Minister for Housing, opened a number of new flats in Gilmerton near Edinburgh.

One of the first residents is Rosetta Macdonald (pictured with Bob Kemp), an RAF veteran who left the service some time ago. Rosetta said, "I am very pleased to be selected as one of the first occupants. I would like to thank all those in the Fund who helped to make this possible."

Bob Kemp, RAF Benevolent Director Scotland, said, "Rosetta's Mum and Dad came along to the opening. It was a very happy occasion in glorious weather with a piper, a number of military personnel in uniform and Alex Neil MSP, who spoke highly of the RAF Benevolent Fund's support to veterans in Scotland."

Our Photographic Auction at the RAF Club in Piccadilly on 14 May was a huge success. Attended by over 100 friends and supporters, it raised more than £6,500 for our welfare work and included a surprise performance by Classical Brit Award winners "Blake".

During the evening, we auctioned photographs donated by world famous photographers like Rankin and Tom Stoddart, celebrities like Bryan Adams, international aviation photographers, and RAF Marham's own photographic section.

The auction also included photographs donated by people who have received help from us in the past. Ali Pearce, a keen amateur photographer with Down Syndrome, was able to attend the event and see the sale of her own photos make a contribution. Ali was helped by the RAF Benevolent Fund in 2008 when we purchased a new electric wheelchair for her, giving her the independence to pursue her passion for photography.

An intrepid team of four fundraisers with two support crew from Aramark are tackling a marathon cycle challenge - from Lands End to John O'Groats! They are aiming to raise £25,000 for the RAF Benevolent Fund and SSAFA.

You can follow the team's progress on their blog at 4theforces.blog.co.uk. They have now reached RAF Cosford - please give them encouragement for the rest of the route by donating on their RAF Benevolent Fund Justgiving web page.

Our first annual RAF Benevolent Fund Thanksgiving Service takes place on 12 July at 11:30am. All readers of our enews are welcome to attend this invite-only event. Please see our website for more information. There will also be services taking place across the country on the same day at many RAF stations.

There are still places available for our 90th anniversary skydive, at Netheravon in Wiltshire on 11 July. Please consider taking part in this exhilarating experience or pass the information on to someone who may be interested. The day will include a jump by the Falcons, several fly-pasts, a hog roast and family entertainment for you and your guests, ending with a party in the bar in the evening.

We have at least 130 runners in the British 10k London Run, on 12 July. However, it's not too late to take part! If you'd like to participate, please contact Chris.Sparks@rafbf.org.uk. Alternatively, please cheer the runners on, if you live near the route in London.

Do you have a mobile phone that's come to the end of its useful life? Or one that you've replaced with a newer model?

Rather than throwing the old phone away or leaving it at the back of a drawer, you can help support the work of the RAF Benevolent Fund, while at the same time keeping the planet green, by sending us your phone for recycling.

Just send us an email, together with your name and address, and we will send you a prepaid, pre-addressed recycling envelope.

"Run to Pegasus", a run of over 200 sponsored runners, will leave Tarrant Rushton Airfield on 4 June 2009 and cover 65 miles to Pegasus Bridge in Normandy, to celebrate and commemorate the 65th Anniversary of D-Day on 6 June 2009. Money raised from the event will split between the RAF Benevolent Fund and other Service charities.

RAF Benevolent Fund staff will be on hand at the start line to cheer off the runners, who include eight runners from No. 2 Squadron RAF Regiment and two ex-RAF personnel. A flypast will be made by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and an RAF Band will be on hand to play the runners on their way.

To find out more or donate, go to www.project65.net.

On 23 April, a St George's Day party was held by the Gunmakers pub in Marylebone, London, organised by the landlord, John Wraith. Entertainment included Kas, the 'Forces Sweetheart', Pearly Kings and Queens and a local Girls School Choir, as well as raffle and good traditional English pub food.

The Chelsea Pensioners attended as did a number of RAF Benevolent Fund staff from head office on what proved a popular and sunny afternoon. In total, over £660 was raised.

If you have a fundraising idea, please get in contact with your Regional Fundraiser, who will be pleased to help you organise and publicise the event.

208 Squadron have repainted their display team's Hawk with a unique RAF Benevolent Fund livery. We're hoping this will raise awareness of the work of the RAF Benevolent Fund at the air shows in which it takes part this year.

Flight Lieutenant Matt Barker, in his first year as the Display Hawk Pilot, said, "The Hawk display team is proud to be helping the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund in their 90th year. We are delighted that we can extend our support through our branded Hawk, at air shows throughout the summer."

See a slideshow of photos of the Hawk in its striking new colours, taken by Berry Vissers, author of Northern Exposure.

6 June	Perth - the "Heart of Scotland" air show
14 June	RAF Cosford
20-21 June	Kemble
27-28 June	Biggin Hill
4-5 July	Waddington
18-19 July	Royal International Air Tattoo (RAF Fairford)
25 July	East Fortune
1 August	East Kirkby - the RAF Benevolent Fund 90th anniversary air show
13-16 August	Eastbourne
20-23 August	Bournemouth
12 September	RAF Leuchars

Why not use one of our collection boxes to collect your spare change for us? If you email us we'll send you the collection box of your choice - just remember to tell us your postal address, how many boxes you need, and which type of box (round or square) you'd like.

We'll send you a reminder after six months, with a paying-in slip. Your spare change will mount up without you noticing, and you'll be helping to support our work at a time when need is increasing.

In order to raise money for the fallen and injured, 3 Commando Brigade are organising The Chara Challenge, a 30-mile race over Dartmoor, taking place on 16 July 2009.

Up to 100 4-man teams, both military and civilian, will participate in the race, wearing boots and carrying 32 pounds in a day-sack. The race must be completed in 10 hours. It is hoped the challenge will prove "There is no such thing as insurmountable odds."

The money raised from the challenge will be shared by a number of Service charities, including the RAF Benevolent Fund. To find out how to get involved, visit www.charachallenge.com.

The toy manufacturer, Character Group, has produced a new "HM Armed Forces" series of action figures, with help from the MOD. The action figures, launched at RAF Northolt on 8 May, represent specialists from each of the three Services. From the RAF there is a pilot who fits into a fast jet, a Search and Rescue winchman and a Falcons parachutist.

Character Group commissioned a psychologist, Dr Amanda Gummer, an expert in play and parenting, as part of their product development. Amanda said, "By playing with realistic toys it replaces the shallow, materialistic 'show-biz' role models with ones based on real people doing a valuable job."

Brigadier Mark van der Lande, Head of MOD Public Relations, said: "These figures are a tribute to our Servicemen and women, who conduct themselves with dignity and courage, often in difficult and dangerous circumstances. This range of toys has captured strong elements of the ethos of the Armed Forces."

In conjunction with the Friends and Relations website, the RAF Benevolent Fund is offering a free service to recognise those in the RAF family who have passed away. The service allows you to add three photographs and up to 1,500 words on a memorial web page. It also allows others to leave their own tributes from wherever they may be in the world. For more information, please contact Jon.Heard@rafbf.org.uk.

Are you a member of the RAF family? The RAF Benevolent Fund and RAFA run three respite homes, exclusively for members of the RAF family in these three locations:

	Flowerdown House Victorian elegance on the seafront at Weston-super-Mare. One of the West Country's most popular resorts, and close to local beauty spots. Tel: 01934 621664
	Richard Peck House Only 100 yards from the sea-front at St Annes, and close to the North West's major attractions, such as Blackpool and the Fylde Coast. Tel: 01253 725519
	Rothbury House Elegant surroundings and large terraced gardens with panoramic views over the beautiful Coquet Valley and Simonside Hills. Tel: 01669 620235

How much does it cost? It all depends on what you can afford!  If you can't afford to pay the full cost but really need a break, we could help you to make it happen! Just contact us on the telephone numbers above and ask for details.

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.