Royal Air Forces Association
Encyclopedia
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 dependents.
The organisation, which was formed in 1943, receives no funding from the UK Government and operates entirely on donation
s and subscription
fee
s.
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 around £2 million annually.
RAFA provides five flying
scholarship
s for members of the Air Training Corps
and Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets
, 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.
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
which provides care and support to serving and retired members of the "Royal Air Forces" (that is, Air Forces
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
of the British Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
) and their dependents.
The organisation, which was formed in 1943, receives no funding from the UK Government and operates entirely on donation
Donation
A donation is a gift given by physical or legal persons, typically for charitable purposes and/or to benefit a cause. A donation may take various forms, including cash, services, new or used goods including clothing, toys, food, and vehicles...
s and subscription
Subscription business model
The subscription business model is a business model where a customer must pay a subscription price to have access to the product/service. The model was pioneered by magazines and newspapers, but is now used by many businesses and websites....
fee
Fee
A fee is the price one pays as remuneration for services. Fees usually allow for overhead, wages, costs, and markup.Traditionally, professionals in Great Britain received a fee in contradistinction to a payment, salary, or wage, and would often use guineas rather than pounds as units of account...
s.
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
Charity (practice)
The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need who are not related to the giver.- Etymology :The word "charity" entered the English language through the Old French word "charité" which was derived from the Latin "caritas".Originally in Latin the word caritas meant...
work comes from several places, including the RAFA's own "Wings Appeal" which raises around £2 million annually.
RAFA provides five flying
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
s for members of the Air Training Corps
Air Training Corps
The Air Training Corps , commonly known as the Air Cadets, is a cadet organisation based in the United Kingdom. It is a voluntary youth group which is part of the Air Cadet Organisation and the Royal Air Force . It is supported by the Ministry of Defence, with a regular RAF Officer, currently Air...
and Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets
Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets
The Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets is a voluntary uniformed youth organisation for girls aged between 11 and 20, It is also a registered charity, and by virtue of its work towards the personal and social development of young people, it is a member of The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services...
, 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
See also
- The Royal British LegionThe Royal British LegionThe Royal British Legion , sometimes referred to as simply The Legion, is the United Kingdom's leading charity providing financial, social and emotional support to those who have served or who are currently serving in the British Armed Forces, and their dependants.-History:The British Legion was...
- SSAFA Forces HelpSSAFA Forces HelpSSAFA Forces Help is a British based charitable organization set up to help former and serving members of the United Kingdom British Armed Forces and their families or dependents...
- RAF Benevolent FundRAF Benevolent FundThe Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is the Royal Air Force's leading welfare charity, providing financial, practical and emotional support to serving and former members of the RAF - regardless of rank - as well as their partners and dependents.They help members of the RAF family deal with a wide...
- Royal Air Forces Escaping SocietyRoyal Air Forces Escaping SocietyThe Royal Air Forces Escaping Society, was a UK based charitable organization formed in 1946 to provide help to those in the former occupied countries in World War II who put their lives at risk to assist and save members of the "Royal Air Forces" who were attempting to escape and evade...
- Royal Air ForceRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...