WRAFS on Tour Visit to Halton

Charities

Women’s Royal Air Force, (WRAF’s) on Tour, is a group of around 1100 former and serving women of all ages who are undertaking a UK wide charity relay. Each lady is undertaking to cover as far as she is able by walking, cycling or running, some are even using horse power or rollerblades. The relay is to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support andThe Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) and the ladies came to Halton this week for a photo opportunity at the main gate where the next leg of the tour started. They are pictured with Sqn Ldr Rachel Portlock and Flt Sgt Ellie Wileen from RAF Halton.

Helen Bacchus, who now works for Buckinghamshire County Council’s Children and Young People Services, said: “We hope this is going to really capture the imagination and support of as many people as possible. The idea was first suggested around a year ago and we now have more than 1100 women, of all ages, and several over 70 years of age taking part.

2014 is an important year, in terms of anniversaries, for women in the Royal Air Force, it will be75 years since WAAF was formed,65 years since the name changed to WRAF, and 20 years since the ‘W’ officially disappeared under the complete merge with RAF. It will also be 100 years since the start of WWI, an important anniversary for all members of the armed forces, andwe are hoping to finish the relay at the National Arboretum where we will lay a floral tribute.”

The relay started on 28th June in Stranraer, Scotland, and works its way through most areas of the UK mainland, until it finishes in October. The ladies have already raised over £8000 but obviously want to raise as much as possible for the two charities.

Helen continued: “We have been very lucky with sponsorship, Dana Petroleum have paid for all our t-shirts, and Learning With Linden were a big help during the planning stages by providing some acetate sheets to help with our route mapping.”

For more information contact Verena Smith, who is organised the event at wrafsontour@gmail.com

web address:www.wrafsontour.com

just-giving site: www.justgiving.com/teams/WRAFontour