RAF Marham goes virtual for charity

RAF Marham was part of a week of activities held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the famous Beaujolais Run which has raised over £50,000 for the RAF Benevolent Fund.

This year in light of lockdown restrictions, the runners raised funds from home as the run went virtual to support the RAF’s leading welfare charity.

The fund helps raise vital cash to help RAF veterans, serving personnel and their families.

Group captain James Beck, station commander at RAF Marham, said: “It is a real honour to be part of an event which is steeped in such tradition, even more so as it raises funds for our charity, the RAF Benevolent Fund.”

The charity event, which normally sees drivers travelling across Europe in an attempt to find the shortest route back to the UK to “bring home the Beaujolais”.

This year’s event took a virtual form with different speakers joining the event each evening to share their stories.

Gp Capt Beck was among the speakers and he talked runners through the RAF’s new aircraft the Lightning F-35.

Mike Straney, RAF Benevolent Fund head of fundraising and communications, said: “Like all charities, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on our beneficiaries as well as our income.

“We have been working hard to continue supporting serving personnel and veterans during these strange times, releasing a number of new support services.”

He added: “The RAF Benevolent Fund has met the challenge of Covid-19 head on, providing RAF stations with grants to support young people who were isolated when schools closed during lockdown.

“At RAF Marham, we have provided grants totalling £115K in the past year. This includes individual grants for serving personnel in need, relationship counselling and Airplay youth support.”