RAF Cranwell celebrates after winning fund-raising awards

Three fund-raisers are celebrating after winning awards for their commitment to a national military charity.

Flight Sergeant Michelle Rees-Martin and Corporal Ash Oldroyd-Clarke, both stationed at RAF College Cranwell, received trophies at the Royal Air Force Association’s annual conference.

RAF Cranwell received the Lord Tedder Trophy for raising £19,078 for the charity’s Wings Appeal in 2018, the highest collection of any station in the country. Michelle and Ash, who are both RAF Association Liaison Officers (RAFALOs) at the station accepted the trophy.

Michelle said: “We put a lot of hard work into fund-raising over the last year since I became Senior RAFALO, and despite being such a small team Ash and I did everything we could to raise more money than any other RAF station in the UK.”

Ash received the Wally Marriott Trophy as RAFALO of the Year. He said: “Michelle and I ensured there was always something going on, from our Santa run to events with Cranwell Primary School. We also worked with the Association’s Cranwell branch to help raise this great total for the charity.”

Mike Smith, secretary of the association’s Cranwell branch, received a National Presidential Certificate for his 18 years of service to the charity, which supports the wellbeing of the RAF family.

Mike, who retired from the RAF in 1993, said: “I’ve been very active in the Cranwell branch since joining in 2001 – you have to keep the grey matter active once you retire, as I learned when I worked in resettlement!

“Ash and Michelle at RAF Cranwell managed to raise an incredible amount last year. Everyone at Cranwell branch was proud to be involved, and this year we’ve got even more events planned.”

For more information on the RAF Association’s Cranwell branch, including details on how to become a member of the association, visit www.rafa.org.uk/cranwell