Royal Air Forces Association

The Royal Air Forces Association, more often known as RAF Association, or simply RAFA, is a UK-based charitable organization which provides care and support to serving and retired members of the "Royal Air Forces" (that is, Air Forces of the British Commonwealth) and their dependants.

The organisation, which was formed in 1943, receives no funding from the UK Government and operates entirely on donations and subscription fees.

There are currently 504 branches of the RAFA across the UK with a membership of 79,000 in the UK and abroad.

Money needed for their charity work comes from several places, including the RAFA's own "Wings Appeal" which raises circa £2 million annually.

RAFA provides 5 flying scholarships for members of the Air Training Corps and Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets [http://www.rafa.org.uk/scholarships-flyingscholarships.asp] , each year. These scholarships are provided as a thank you to members of the Air Training Corps & GVCAC for the support they give to the Association in helping to raise funds for the Wings Appeal.

The RAFA also runs a website purely for the single service Air Forces to search for comrades - whether they are serving or ex-serving personnel, this is a free service to all RAFA members.

External links

* [http://www.rafa.org.uk/ RAFA homepage]
* [http://www.raf-comrade-contact.co.uk RAFA Comrade Contact site]

ee also

*The Royal British Legion
*SSAFA Forces Help
*Royal Air Force

References