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RAF Charitable Trust

Douglas Bader House, Horcott Hill, Fairford, Gloucestershire, GL7 4RB, United Kingdom (UK)

Registered Charity Number: 1176054

The RAF Charitable Trust is an aviation charity based in Fairford, Gloucestershire.

The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust (RAFCT) was founded in January 2005 following the reorganization of the RAF Benevolent Fund Development Trust (RAFBFDT). The RAFCT retained the objectives of the RAFBFDT & widened its scope to include the RAF family of charities as potential beneficiaries.

The RAFBFDT was formed in July 1950. It was launched with a £30,000 grant from the Air Council with the express purpose of financing & assisting ‘aerial pageants & displays’ reminiscent of 1920s in order to promote the RAF.

The first Air Tattoo was held at North Weald Aerodrome & was organized by the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA). In 1975 – Air Marshal Sir Denis Crowley-Milling, Controller of the RAF Benevolent Fund, became involved in order to re-establish military airshows as a way to raise money & awareness for the fund & to aid recruitment to the RAF.

As a result, the first International Air Tattoo was held at RAF Greenham Common in 1976, organized by the RAFBFDT.
The objectives of the Trust were widened in 1994 to include charitable purposes which were of benefit to past & present members of the RAF & in 1996 the Tattoo received Royal recognition.

The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust was established in 2004 to take over the running of the event & a Board of Trustees was established in 2005, chaired by Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Knight. HRH The Duke of Kent agreed to be Patron of the RAF Charitable Trust.
Air Chief Marshal Sir John Cheshire succeeded Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Knight in 2008 as Chairman of the Board of Trustees & in 2011 the Trustees agreed a new Mission Statement, aims & objectives & a new logo was adopted.

In 2013 Air Marshal Sir Kevin Leeson took over as Chairman & President from Air Chief Marshal Sir John Cheshire.
In December 2017 the Royal International Air Tattoo became a Charitable Incorporated Organization & in June 2020 Air Marshal Phillip Osborn took over as Chairman of the RAFCT.

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Donations to The RAF Charitable Trust Our Mission is to Promote the Royal Air Force & Inspire young people & Royal Air Force personnel to fulfil… VIEW DETAILS

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The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust’s mission is:
To Promote the Royal Air Force & Inspire young people & Royal Air Force personnel to fulfil their potential in air & space.

We do this by:
Staging the Royal International Air Tattoo, the Royal Air Force Concerts, & other similar activities
Giving financial grants to satisfy the Trust’s objects.

Funding scholarships & other awards
The Trust gives grants directly to groups, but also uses partner organizations to maximize reach & utilize expertise. Every year is slightly different as partnerships are developed over time & demand for grant types vary. In 2019-20 this included:
Funded 57 flying scholarships, for RAF Junior Ranks, Junior Officers, Air Cadets, & through Flying Scholarships for Disabled People.
Supported 11 RAF Air Cadet expeditions, in partnership with the Ulysses Trust, in the UK, & as far away as Borneo & Costa Rica. Allocated £40,000 to support the RAF Youth & STEM team in sponsoring the Scouts Air Activities badge.
Inspired 5 Engineer Leaders of the future by funding Arkwright Engineering Scholarships for their sixth form studies.
Supported 20 RAF Stations by providing funds for expeditions, station facilities, & families’ days.

Engineering Scholarships
Sixth Form. Arkwright Scholarships are annually awarded bursaries for sixth formers with a demonstrated interest in & an ability to pursue, an aerospace engineering (or related discipline) or an aviation or RAF career, but whose family circumstances limit their ability to pursue their education.

Adventurous Training Award
University Air Squadrons. Known as the Paul Bowen Award, an annual competition is held between UASs to find the expedition plan the opinion of the RAFCT Judging Panel, demonstrates the best spirit of adventure, enterprise & challenge.

Flying Scholarships
RAF Air Cadets. Known as the ACM Sir Mike Knight Pilots Scholarship Scheme (SMKPSS), each year some of the most promising young pilots who have completed the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme are awarded further training to PPL standard & one of these is then given further training through the Flying Excellence Award.
RAF Junior Ranks & Junior Officers (non-aircrew). Young JRs (Junior Ranks Pilot Scholarship Scheme) & JOs (Junior Officer Pilot Scholarship Scheme) are able to gain flying experience towards a LAPL at their local associated flying club. Some of these successful scholars will also get further flying training as part of the Top-Up Scheme.
Disabled Veteran/Family. Up to two annual scholarships through The Flying Scholarships for Disabled People charity are awarded to an individual who has served in the Royal Air Force or who is a dependent or a member of the wider RAF family.