Amount donated: £18,383

The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund helps RAF service personnel if they or their partner dies while serving in the RAF; they are medically discharged from the RAF with a severe disability that prevents them from finding long term employment; they are currently serving in the RAF and their partner or child has a severe disability that requires specialist supervision.

Help can come in the form of making alterations to a home to improve accessibility and quality of life, providing equipment such as a specialised computer or an electric wheelchair or simply making a financial contribution to help meet living expenses.

In February 2009, the RAB Benevolent Fund received a cheque for £18,383 from the Richard Burns Foundation. One of its many beneficiaries, Carl Harding, received support after being paralysed from the chest down when the motorbike he was riding was involved in a head-on collision with a van. The RAFBF purchased a bungalow, adapted for wheelchair use, for Harding and his family and agreed a rent based on what the Hardings could afford.

“The support we received was essential,” said Carl. “We’ll always be so grateful that the support was there when we needed it.”