November 2022 Newsletter
RAF CONINGSBY SCOOPS THE INAUGURAL RAF CENTRAL FUND STATION SPORT AWARD
For the first time in its history, the RAF Sports Awards saw the inclusion of the RAF Central Fund Station Sport Award. Designed by our charity to recognise the best Station or Unit initiative that encourages and enables serving personnel to get physically active. RAF Coningsby were the first to claim the title for their Station’s Coningsby Connected programme that offers support services for a holistic Health and Wellbeing approach to fitness, and their Project DELAPSUS which provides mobile gyms to frontline personnel and Physical Training instructors using Astra funding.
DEMAND HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER
One of our primary support mechanisms as a charity is our achieved through our Sports Grants programme. Since coming out of lockdown, we’ve seen demand increase dramatically and from 2021 to 2022 we’ve received over 50% more individual grant applications and the amount of charitable support that we have delivered has increased across the whole programme by £255,351, a 74.69% uplift in total funding.

Whilst the application process is now closed for 2022, the 2023 application forms and grant policies will be available on our website from 1 January 2023. All prospective beneficiaries are asked to carefully read the updated policy for the year before applying.
2022 Sports Grants Summary
FACES OF THE FUND - Sergeant Karl Ross
Following the huge success of women’s football this summer, we caught up with Sgt Karl Ross, a football coach for the women’s team at RAF Coningsby, to talk about his love for the sport and how he mentored the team to several victories.

“Over the years, the RAF Coningsby women’s team have benefitted on several occasions from RAF Central Fund support for things such as tournaments and equipment. Earlier this year, we were lucky enough to be awarded grant funding for our own goals, something that has been evident in increasing moral as we would previously have to book a pitch outside of the Station due to not having these facilities in place."
EVER THOUGHT OF TRYING POLO?
Thanks to a new one day ‘taster’ course organised by the RAF Polo Association and subsidised by our charity, serving personnel can now give this ancient sport a try in a short and affordable day of mallet swinging and pony riding. Having already got some riding experience under her belt, our Marketing Manager, Zoe Williamson, donned her hat and breeches and headed up to Leadenham Polo Club near Cranwell to see what all the fuss was about. 
“I’ve always been curious about the sport and it’s always looked immense fun and I can honestly say it is! Everyone on the course had a great time and even those that didn’t have much riding experience were able to have a go on the well-schooled ponies.”

The next introduction session is being run at Druid’s Lodge (Wiltshire) on Friday 16  December with more Leadenham courses being planned for early next year. Click below to find out more and get involved.
RAF SPORTS LOTTERY
Congratulations to our latest Sports Lottery jackpot winners, each taking home a massive £10,000!  

A big THANK YOU to all of our players, your tickets help us to continue our charitable work to safeguard the health and wellbeing of serving personnel through access to sport and physical activities.
LATEST PROMOTIONS
YOU SHOP,
AMAZON GIVES
BLACK FRIDAY 18 NOV
For those taking the opportunity to do their Christmas shopping early, how about doing it through Amazon Smile and picking the RAF Central Fund as your chosen charity? It's exactly the same as shopping on the normal Amazon site except Amazon donates a small percentage of everything ordered to your charity of choice.
SUNDRIED ACTIVEWEAR DISCOUNT
Sundried believe in quality, eco-friendly, affordable sports apparel. Intelligently designed to optimise your training, enhance your performance, and stay comfortable mile after mile. All products are 100% vegan.

Enjoy a 30% discount by using code ‘RAF’ at checkout.
LES MILLS +
ONLINE FITNESS CLASSES
Missing your favourite gym classes but would prefer to work out at home then why not take advantage of over 1,000 different workout classes available on Les Mills+ platform. Our offer provides a 30 day free trial for all first time users plus a discounted subscription of just £9.70 per month (RRP 12.95).

The Royal Air Force Central Fund is a company registered in England and Wales 8555984, Charity registered in England and Wales 1152560, Charity registered in Scotland SC044299.

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