RAF Marham helps famous Beaujolais Run mark its 50th year
Station Commander Group Captain James Beck took part in the virtual event
Last updated 24th Nov 2020
RAF Marham was part of a week of activities which made up this year’s 50th anniversary of The Beaujolais Run®. The Run, famed for its fizz and fun across Europe, remembered The Few who flew to save the many during the Battle of Britain 80 years ago and celebrated raising more than £50,000 for the RAF Benevolent Fund.
In a change necessary to meet Covid-19 restrictions, the Runners fundraised from the comfort of their sofas this year as the Run goes virtual. Its participants support the RAF’s leading welfare charity raising vital funds to support RAF veterans, serving personnel and their families over the last three years.
Group Captain James Beck, Station Commander at RAF Marham, said: “It is a real honour to be part of an event which is steeped in such tradition, even more so as it raises funds for our charity, the RAF Benevolent Fund.”
For the past 50 years the Beaujolais Run has seen drivers make their way across Europe in an impressive array of cars to ‘bring home the Beaujolais’. The Run is a navigational challenge where drivers must take the shortest route back to the UK, with the wine on board. This year’s event took a virtual form with different speakers joining the event each evening to share their stories. Gp Capt James Beck talked Runners through the RAF’s new aircraft the Lightning F-35.
Mike Straney, RAF Benevolent Fund Head of Fundraising and Communications, said:
“Like all charities, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on our beneficiaries as well as our income. We have been working hard to continue supporting serving personnel and veterans during these strange times, releasing a number of new support services.
“But that could not happen without the sustained and generous support from organisations like the Beaujolais Run. Thank you to the organisers for having the drive and determination to hold this event.
“The RAF Benevolent Fund has met the challenge of Covid-19 head on, providing RAF stations with grants to support young people who were isolated when schools closed during lockdown. At RAF Marham, we have provided grants totalling £115K in the past year. This includes individual grants for serving personnel in need, relationship counselling and Airplay youth support.”
The RAF Benevolent Fund provides financial, emotional, and practical assistance to serving and retired RAF personnel and their families. This includes grants to help with financial difficulty, free memberships for Headspace, Airplay youth clubs, and more.