DURING the first two weeks of September, The Royal Air Forces Association and its supporters will be collecting in towns and villages throughout the UK for The Battle of Britain Wings Appeal.

The Appeal not only commemorates one of the finest moments in the history of this country, but also provides an opportunity for the community to support a most worthwhile charity.

RAFA is a membership based charity with a network of 600 branches worldwide, each with a trained voluntary welfare officer providing help and support for both veterans and serving members of the RAF and their dependents, as well as those who have served in the Air Forces of the Commonwealth.

Within this needy group, are people like Des Plunkett, who, as a bomber pilot during World War Two, was shot down over Germany and incarcerated in Stalag Luft III. It was from them that one of the most daring escapes of the war took place, immortalised in the film the Great Escape. Des produced all the forged documents needed following the escape and was number 13 in the tunnel, a position no one else wanted. He was within a whisker of the Swiss border when he was recaptured by the Germans and returned to a prison run by the Gestapo. Today, Des leads a somewhat quieter life at a RAFA nursing home in the South of England. He still has a twinkle in his eye, a zest for life and a spirit that encourages and nurtures in its homes.

The role of RAFA is to assist servicemen and women like Des, not only those who served in the Second World War, but also younger people who have seen action in more recent conflicts such as the Falklands or Kosovo. All these people had one thing in common, a desire to serve their country through the Royal Air Force.

Demand on the services of RAFA has never been higher. Last year the Association spent £500,000 more than was raised extending welfare facilities. This year RAFA will open an Elderly Mentally Infirm Unit. This innovative project will be breaking new ground in the provision of medical care for those suffering from mental illnesses such as Alzheimer's Disease.

To run this and its many other homes RAFA needs more funds, and I appeal to your readers to help us with this challenge and give generously. This can be done by calling Freephone 0800 0182361, sending a donation to the address below, or by giving to one of our many volunteers who will be on the streets collecting during September.

For more information about the Association or becoming a member you can write to me.

Thank you for all your support.

Sir Michael Stear

Air Chief Marshal

President

The Royal Air Forces Association

Freepost LON 1464

43, Grove Park Road

Chiswick

London, W4 3BR