West Sussex veterans receive VE Day party packages from RAF Benevolent Fund

RAF veterans in West Sussex received VE Day party packages to celebrate at home, courtesy of Princess Marina House in Rustington.
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Staff and volunteers from the RAF Benevolent Fund’s care and respite centre delivered packages to 100 guests in the area, giving them party hats, mini flags, napkins, chocolates, and tea, as well as essential items such as canned and dried foods, soap and toilet roll.

Tania Carter, general manager, said: “We had hoped to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day at Princess Marina House but unfortunately social distancing rules mean this wasn’t possible. Instead, we decided to take the celebrations to our guests.

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“We are incredibly grateful for the generous donations from Compass Group. Their support helps us continue meeting the needs of vulnerable members of the RAF family.

Littlehampton D-Day veteran Stanley Northeast with RAF Benevolent Fund ambassador Mike GoodyLittlehampton D-Day veteran Stanley Northeast with RAF Benevolent Fund ambassador Mike Goody
Littlehampton D-Day veteran Stanley Northeast with RAF Benevolent Fund ambassador Mike Goody

“We look forward to welcoming our guests back to Princess Marina House as soon as it is safe to do so.”

The boxes were provided by ESS Support Services Worldwide and the RAF charity added party supplies, along with letters written by local Air Cadets.

Among the recipients was 99-year-old Stanley Northeast, a D-Day veteran from Littlehampton who started the campaign calling on the public to clap for veterans on VE Day.

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Stanley’s box was delivered by fund ambassador Mike Goody, who was injured on patrol with the RAF Regiment in Afghanistan in 2008, when his vehicle struck an IED.

The RAF Benevolent Fund took the party to around 100 veterans living in West SussexThe RAF Benevolent Fund took the party to around 100 veterans living in West Sussex
The RAF Benevolent Fund took the party to around 100 veterans living in West Sussex

Mike was trapped underneath for three hours and the impact shattered almost every bone in his lower left leg. After two and a half years of painful rehabilitation, Mike took the difficult decision to have his leg amputated below the knee.

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The packages included letters written by local Air CadetsThe packages included letters written by local Air Cadets
The packages included letters written by local Air Cadets

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