RAF Wittering catering squadron takes on 5,000-mile challenge for Williams Syndrome Foundation
Chefs and stewards from an air force catering squadron cooked up an epic challenge to raise money for a charity close to their hearts.
The team of 34 personnel at RAF Wittering cycled, rowed and ran 5,000 miles raising an impressive £1,180 for the Williams Syndrome Foundation.
Williams Syndrome occurs randomly and affects around one in 18,000 people in the UK. It causes distinctive facial characteristics and a wide range of learning and social difficulties.
One of the team, Corporal Dan Gordon, has a three-year-old son called Henry who was born with the condition and the foundation has been a huge support to his family.
Dan said: “They offer advice to parents and people with Williams Syndrome and there’s a panel of medical experts that you can turn to. Affected families can meet up and share their experiences. It’s been brilliant, without them I don’t know what we would have done.”
The catering squadron wanted to cover the virtual distance from the Station Warrant Officer’s office at the base to their colleague, SAC Jonathan Crow, in Cyprus – and back again.
They said the event had a genuine community feel, with members setting up their cycling and rowing machines outside the village shop in Wittering and organising a bake sale.
Senior Aircraftman Rob Dowie, project lead for the SWO to Crow challenge, said: “We had searing heat and we’ve also had horrific wind and sideways rain, but people battled through.
“Everyone’s been fantastic, it’s been a massive team effort, and everyone’s gone the extra mile, getting the word out there about what we’re doing, and keeping up the social distancing while we’ve been on the challenge.”
RAF Wittering Station Commander, Group Captain Jo Lincoln, and Station Warrant Officer, Warrant Officer Hywel Greening, met the team of four cyclists who completed the challenge at the station’s main gate on Tuesday, June 30.
Group Captain Lincoln said: “What an amazing effort from No 3 Mobile Catering Squadron, and for such a brilliant cause too. This is an incredible example of our people looking after each other and keeping up that great tradition of fundraising at RAF Wittering. Any station commander would be proud of this brilliant teamwork.”
Initially formed in 1975 as the RAF Mobile Catering Support Unit, No 3 Mobile Catering has been supporting operations and exercises for over 40 years. The squadron regularly supports fast jet deployments and can offer immediate support to aircraft crash situations.