A "world of difference" for the Thompson family
David Thompson served in the RAF from 1974 to 2001. During his career he saw service in the Falklands, the first Gulf War, East Timor and Afghanistan. David's wife Denise also served in the RAF for 15 years.
After leaving the RAF, David concentrated a large amount of time on his severely autistic son, Gregor, who requires 24 hour care. David was in the process of adapting his family home to make it more suitable for Gregor, but was finding some of the costs difficult to cover. It was at this point that he contacted the RAFBF.
After examining their case, the RAFBF awarded a grant to provide extensive assistance with the house adaptations, including a special play room for Gregor with the kinds of facilities that he required.
Listen to David in his own words 
If you'd like to help people like David, who need our support, please make a donation:
To celebrate our 90th year we've collected 90 stories of beneficiaries like David, alongside the RAFBF's many other friends and supporters. You can watch videos, comment on stories and vote in our poll. We'd love to hear what you think!
Visit 90 Faces
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RAF Sailing Team ride wave of success
The RAF Offshore Sailing Team enjoyed fantastic success at this year's Cowes Week regatta, finishing third overall in their class - a full five places better than they achieved last year. Throughout the week their J109 yacht, "Red Arrow", flew a new, especially branded spinnaker to mark the RAFBF's 90th anniversary, raising awareness for the charity wherever they went.
The team represented a cross section of today's RAF, including Afghanistan veterans like Squadron Leader Matt Carter of the RAF Regiment (who was awarded the Military Cross for bravery in 2007), a range of RAF pilots, and more junior officers who are still undergoing basic flying training. Also racing was helmsman, Corporal Andy Rodwell, who has completed four tours of Afghanistan in the past five years.
Congratulations to the whole team for their fantastic achievement!
View photos on Flickr
Skipper Simon Ling on the regatta
A birthday message from the crew
100 Squadron Hawks take charity to heart
The Hawks of RAF Leeming's 100 Squadron are taking to the sky in striking new colours this summer, to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the RAF Benevolent Fund. The Hawks have been painted in the charity's "Heart Roundel" logo to raise awareness at airshows across the UK this summer.
Wing Commander Pete Squires, Officer Commanding 100 Squadron, said, "The RAFBF does excellent and unsung work in support of serving and retired RAF personnel and dependants. At RAF Leeming the RAFBF is funding our new nursery, which will be a huge benefit to all those with young families, including myself. It seemed only right that the squadron should do something in return, so we decided to feature the 'Heart Roundel' on our aircraft in order to raise awareness of the charity's services wherever we go."
RAF Leeming's support for the RAFBF will continue later in the summer with a team of 34, lead by the Station Commander, walking the West Highland Way, a Charity Raffle at Ground Engineering Flight and a Le Mans Go Kart challenge.
Two fantastic donations from our supporters
Selby Golf Club Captain Tony Steen presented a cheque for £1,000 to Helen Bain, Regional Fundraiser for the RAF Benevolent Fund last week. The funds were raised at the Club's "Captain's weekend" in July.
Tony Steen said, "I chose to support the RAF Benevolent Fund because it is the RAF's leading welfare charity, and as the Selby area has always enjoyed such deep-rooted ties with the RAF, it seemed a natural choice. I lost several good friends in the first Gulf War, and am well aware that the continuing conflict in Afghanistan means more and more people will need the RAF Benevolent Fund's support."
A second donation came from West Lindsey District Council. The District Council generated £300 for the RAFBF in the course of the year and, on leaving office in May this year, Council Leader Peter Heath also made a personal contribution of £500. As a former serving member of the Royal Air Force, Peter remains a lifelong supporter of the RAFBF and a keen advocate of the charity's work.
We would like to say a big Thank You to everyone who was involved in raising these funds for us!
White Lines In The Sky
Professional journalist and poet Tom Jea has written a poem about the Battle of Britain and kindly sent it to the RAFBF for use. He writes, "It occurred to me that members of your organisation might appreciate knowing that people of younger generations (I am 45) still think about and are inspired by the events of that time."
White Lines In The Sky
I hear a telephone ring,
And the thud of running boots.
All leisure left abandoned,
As groundcrew nod salutes.
Continued
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