RAF
The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF)
Hello, I am Rosie Gibbons and I work for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF) as the new Regional Fundraiser for London and the South East of England. The RAFBF have recently expanded their fundraising Team by recruiting four new Regional fundraisers who are split across the UK, with me as one of them. Our roles are to drive forward the fundraising aspect of the charity, to increase awareness of the RAFBF alongside raising funds.
Recent research has suggested that many of those aware of the RAFBF, think that its work is mainly aimed at older service personnel and veterans. Additionally, a large proportion of our supporters are over the age of 60. With this in mind, the RAFBF aim to change its reputation by raising awareness of its work, which is by no means limited to older service personnel and veterans - far from it! Additionally, we aim to engage with age groups across the spectrum in an attempt to increase support and awareness from all ages.
The part that I play in this grand plan, is to start generating support and awareness within my region by organising events, placing counter collection boxes, giving talks, engaging with RAF stations, meeting volunteers, attending events and much much more….
WHY ODIHAM?
There are 3 very very good reasons: -
1. RAF Odiham is a key (if not THE key) RAF Station within my London and South East remit.
2. I have recently moved to Crondall, so I am personally local to the area
3. I work from home
Odiham is an ideal place for me to start. I have already made links with RAF Odiham, with a couple of visits, good contacts and other potential activities on the horizon. As a town that is so close to the RAF station, I would like to be able to raise awareness of the RAFBF within the local community surrounding it.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
I am looking for 3 main areas of support:-
Counter Collection Boxes.
If you own or manage a shop, bar or restaurant, it would be great if you are able to place one on your counter
Tombola, Raffle or Auction Prizes.
I have a tombola that I take to air shows, families days and various other events across my region, therefore any prizes that you are able to donate will be welcome indeed. Additionally, we hold auctions and raffles at other events such as golf days, lectures, dinners etc. where larger prizes could be donated.
Volunteer support
I aim to increase the number of events for us to attend; therefore any help and support for these events would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, if there is anyone who would like to hold their own events, then I would be very pleased to hear from you. I live and work locally, therefore can easily supply all relevant materials for events.
THE RAFBF
The RAFBF provide welfare to current and former Servicemen and women. Sadly, not enough of these men and women are aware of the level of welfare we can provide for both them and their families. It is my job to both promote the Fund and help those in need, whether they are 18 or 118 years old!
The Benevolent Fund is running a ‘Reaching Out Campaign’ this year, to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Royal Air Force. The campaign appeals to any member of the RAF family in need, to step forward and seek support. The charity wants to let serving and retired members of the RAF, their partners and dependants, know that they could be missing out on much-needed welfare assistance - because they don't realise they are eligible for help.
PLEASE GET IN TOUCH
I am available on 07525 800 138 or rosie.gibbons@rafbf.org.uk if you are able to help in any way or would like to talk to me about any fundraising ideas.
Additionally, if you would like me to attend an event or come and speak to a group, then please just call me or email me.
Thank you!
Rosie Gibbons
Fundraiser - London and South East
Direct Line: 07525 800 138
The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
To find out more about the work of the RAF Benevolent Fund please visit www.rafbf.org.
Praise For Local Heroes
From: The Rt. Hon. James Arbuthnot, M.P.
HOUSE OF COMMONS,LONDON SW1A 0AA
Community Praise for Local Heroes
Yesterday in the House of Commons, James Arbuthnot, Member of Parliament for North East Hampshire, spoke about Saturday’s RAF Odiham Heroes Parade and highlighted the outstanding work of the local Chinooks crews that are returning from Afghanistan.
The home coming parade was the result of 9 months collaboration between the RAF, Odiham Parish Council and the Odiham Town Manager Group. Celebrations started with a Chinook flypast along Odiham High Street, followed by the procession which included a tank, armoured vehicles and marching band. There was a parade in The Bury and festivities continued later into the day with the Blues and Booze music event.
James said:
“The people of Odiham showed a huge degree of appreciation for the wonderful work of the local Chinook crews that are coming back from Afghanistan. They were lining the streets three deep to welcome home members of the armed forces, and I know that everyone involved with RAF Odiham appreciates this fantastic level of community support. But thank you also to Peter Fountain and Odiham for giving us all the opportunity to say thank you.
“I spoke to many people during the day and there was unanimous agreement with the remarks of the Chief of the General Staff, Sir Richard Dannatt, who says that we need to have a debate about the priority that we give to our armed forces. The work that those people are doing is second to none and we need events like this to remind us of the outstanding job that they do.”
(end)
17 June 2008
The Rt. Hon. James Arbuthnot, M.P. Speaking at the Houses Of Parliament.
Blues And Booze In The Bury 2008 and RAF Heroes Parade
RAF Odiham Heroes Parade June 2008
A few memories from the RAF Odiham Heroes Parade, June 2008.
The Day started with a Chinook flypast along the High Street.
It's not every day you get a tank rolling through the village...
... Or an armoured car!
The Band
On Parade in The Bury.
Blues and Booze in The Bury 2008
A BIG EVENT FOR ODIHAM
BLUES & BOOZE IN THE BURY 14 JUNE 2008, 12 MIDDAY – 6pm
This year Blues & Booze in The Bury will be an event not to be missed. Preceded by an RAF Heroes Parade finishing with a short ceremony in The Bury, there will be something for the whole community. The music will attract blues lovers from far and wide whilst the food and drink on offer will satisfy every taste.
The Neurofibromatosis Association, last year’s co-organisers, will be raising funds for their cause
as will All Saints Church and LeapFrogs Pre-school. Between them, the charities will be putting on a balloon race, face painting, lucky dip, tombola, raffle, parachuting teddy bears, teas, coffees and ice cream and more. There will also be a walking entertainer present for the whole afternoon.
This will be a memorable day in the life of Odiham, so make a note of the date and join in the fun! As Peter Fountain said, “We will not have seen so many people in Odiham since July the 15th 1953 when the Queen was driven up the High street to the RAF Base for the Royal Review”.
For enquiries about...
MUSIC: Bob Long, long.boblong@gmail.com,
THE EVENT: Peter Fountain, PtrFount@aol.com
The Neurofibromatosis Association: Tricia Stephens, NfATricia@aol.com
All Saints Church: Tim Paton, tim.paton@tiscali.co.uk
LeapFrogs Pre-School:Nicola Trubridge, nicolatrubridge@hotmail.com
RAF Odiham is on television!
A message from Flight Lieutenant Andi Large of RAF Odiham
"Ladies and Gents, for the past 2 months Meridian ITV (now Thames Valley Tonight) have been filming a five part documentary at RAF Odiham. The first feature was broadcast last night on the 1800 bulletin and tonight the Stn Cdr will be interviewed live on the programme.
The remaining 4 features will be broadcast from next Monday (11th Dec) through to 18th Dec 06. I am sure you and your parishioners would all gain an invaluable insight into life at RAF Odiham, as the filming covers all aspects of our personnel preparing for deployment to Afghanistan.
The crew who were filmed for this documentary are due to deploy to operations in the next few days."
