Letter: Please support RAFAwings appeal

Since 1943 the Royal Air Forces Association has played an important part in providing welfare support and relief for a large number of veterans who served in the Royal Air Forces (RAF), including their families.

Last year we responded to over 25,000 calls for help and the number is steadily rising as those who are eligible become older.

Indeed, well over half of those who qualify for our help are now aged over 80, mainly those from the World War II generation, or their widows and dependants.

Some are disabled and an increasing number are desperately in need of the welfare services we provide.

They fought for the freedom we enjoy today; please help us to give them a secure tomorrow.

But it is not just the veterans of the Second World War who need our help. There are those who are very much younger, some of them victims of the many conflicts, which have taken place since 1945 and who are still serving.

The role played by the Royal Air Force in the two Gulf Wars and ongoing operations in Afghanistan have received much publicity.

We are very proud of the welfare work we have carried out over the last 69 years but it all costs a great deal of money.

Increasingly, we are being asked to play our part in providing Care in the Community for those who can no longer rely on public welfare support services or local authority support.

But the cost of maintaining these welfare support services and meeting some of the needs of our veterans, which can include living expenses, health care, social services and housing, is well over £11k per day.

Sadly, there is a very real danger that calls on our services will outstrip our ability to respond and some of the most needy will receive less assistance than they truly deserve.

In a time when all the Services are under great pressure we are also very aware of the stress on those serving and their families. In an effort to ease the burden on families, the Association is providing financial assistance to equip and furnish contact houses on RAF stations.

These are vital welfare facilities used to accommodate an estranged parent wishing to spend a little quality time wit their children, often before proceeding on operations. Or, perhaps, to accommodate families during times of personal crisis.

We are most anxious that we are able to respond fully to all calls for assistance and we seek your help to allow us to achieve this goal.

In raising the necessary funds we are heavily reliant on the generosity of the public during our Annual Wings Appeal, which this year will be held from September 10-16. Members and friends of the Association will be making street and house to house collections during the week.

Please help us to ensure that next year all calls for assistance are fully answered by giving generously to our collections or, by sending a donation to the Appeals Director, RAF Association, 21 Talbot Street, Belfast, BT1 2LD.

Only with your generous support can we, at least in some small way, repay the enormous debt which we owe to those who have given, and are continuing to give so much.

Sadly, we have many more collecting boxes than we have collectors and many of the collectors which we have are now elderly and standing for long periods may be difficult.

If any readers feel that they would like to help in such a practical way, even if only for two or three hours they would be most welcome and they are invited to contact the Appeals Director on 02890325718.

Membership of our Association is not limited to those who have served in the royal Air forces; we welcome Associate members and volunteers to help us in our work.

For more information about welcoming a volunteer or member, or making a donation by Gift Aid please write to me at the above address.

Yours sincerely,

David Whittaker

Air Vice-Marshal

Northern Ireland Regional President

The Royal Air Forces Association