December 9, 2013 9.59 am This story is over 123 months old

Waddington Air Show raised £375k for charities

Record to date: The 2013 RAF Waddington International Air Show has raised more than £375,000 for service and local charities.
The Red Arrows at the Waddington Air Show 2013. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The 2013 RAF Waddington International Air Show has raised more than £375,000 for service and local charities, its biggest record to date.

Since the Air Show’s inception in 1995, this brings the total raised for charity to £3.3 million.

The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF) and The Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) will each benefit from a £135,000 donation, the most the event has ever donated.

Both charities provide financial, practical and emotional support to all members of the RAF.

The Air Cadets Organisation is also set to receive £29,000 and a further £50,000 has already been donated to the Lincoln Bomber Command Memorial fund.

In addition, the local community is set to benefit from a £29,000 donation to the Station Charities Fund, money which is available throughout the year for local charities.

RAF Waddington International Air Show Director Paul Sall said: “Given our ongoing operational commitments, there is a great sense of achievement for everyone at RAF Waddington.

“We’re immensely proud that all the hard work that goes in to putting on such a spectacular show has meant we are able to donate such a significant amount of money knowing that it will make a real difference amongst the service and local community alike.”

Dawn McCafferty, Commandant Air Cadets Air Commodore, received the donation on behalf of organisation: “Many hundreds of cadets and supporting adult volunteers attend the show every year performing essential support tasks on the ground to enable the Waddington Air Show to be such an international success.

“We will use this donation to further promote aviation in the Air Cadet Organisation and recognise the excellence of our cadets and volunteers.”

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Plans are underway for next year’s show, which will be held on Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6.

Themes for 2014 are the Commemoration of the First World War, the 65th Anniversary of NATO, the 70th Anniversary of D Day and the 50th Display Season of RAFAT the Red Arrows.

Visitors can expect to see aircraft both old and new.