Plymouth RAF veteran gives back to charity that supported him

On Sunday 13 October, fundraiser and RAF veteran David Cumberland took part in the Leicester Half Marathon to raise money for the RAF’s leading welfare charity, the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Former Logistics Supplier David Cumberland, 41, from Plymouth, decided to take part in the Leicester Half Marathon to raise money for the charity that supported him when he was in need. David retired from the RAF in 2011 following nine years of service, serving on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Speaking on his motivation to get involved, David said: “The RAF Benevolent Fund is a charity close to my heart. When I faced difficulty in 2013 after being made redundant from my civilian role, the Fund was there for me and my family. This is me finally giving back!”

David continued: “I’d lost my civvy job when the company went into administration, the day before pay day. I’d never been out of work before, and I did not know where to turn. The Fund supported me with advice and, whilst sat at my dining table, the advisor could hear my washing machine falling apart and said, ‘we can support you by buying you a new machine.’ It was a small donation but a huge help for my family. Knowing there is a charity to support me if ever I’m in need, means a lot.”

David said: “I'm a qualified personal trainer and used to have my own running team. I've since only been working these events in a safety capacity, and I've neglected my own health. This has held me accountable and not only got me back to running fit but got me raising money for a worthy cause!”

You can donate to David’s fundraiser on JustGiving.

To find out more about how to get involved with fundraising events, visit rafbf.org/get-involved

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, mental health support, Airplay youth clubs, and more.