Honiton woman joins RAF Benevolent Fund to celebrate its centenary

Earlier this week, the daughter of an RAF pilot who was killed in a flying accident in 1998 joined the RAF Benevolent Fund to celebrate the charity’s 100th anniversary. It marked the occasion by hosting an afternoon tea at the RAF Club followed by a reception at St James’s Palace hosted by the charity’s President, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent. 

The charity brought together 10 generations of beneficiaries for a one-off photoshoot, including 25-year-old Natasha Haward, who comes from Honiton. Natasha’s father, Group Captain David Haward, died when she was just four years old. The RAF Benevolent Fund helped the family during their biggest moment of need, and 20 years on from the accident, it helped Natasha by assisting her with an education grant towards her studies at drama school in London. 

Natasha said: “I recently graduated from drama school, something that wouldn’t have been possible without the Fund’s support. It’s wonderful to still feel like part of the RAF family and to be involved in such a special celebration for the RAF Benevolent Fund’s 100th birthday.” 

As the charity marks its centenary, the RAF Benevolent Fund has launched a major campaign calling on the public to ‘Join the Search. Change a Life.’ The Fund is asking the public to help them find individuals who have served in the RAF, or their partners, and may now be in need. The charity believes there are up to 100,000, mainly older, members of the RAF Family in urgent need of support but are not seeking it.

Air Vice-Marshal David Murray, Chief Executive of the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “We are incredibly proud to be the RAF’s oldest friend. Since 1919, we have helped people affected by two World Wars and all manner of other conflicts, as well as those whose lives have been turned upside down away from battle. 

“But we know that we can do more. Last year we supported over 53,000 people but there are so many others who are eligible for our support and in need. Often, these are people who undertook National Service and, wrongly, don’t think of themselves as part of the RAF Family. But they did their bit and we all have a responsibility to ensure these people access the life-changing support that is rightfully theirs.”

To refer someone to the RAF Benevolent Fund, go to rafbf.org or call 0300 102 1919.