Former pilot urges RAFA support

[Kyt]

Former pilot urges public to back RAF charity - Press & Journal

A HIGHLAND spitfire pilot has added his voice to calls for the public to continue to support an RAF benevolent association after a crackdown by supermarkets against charitable fundraising.

Keith Durbidge, 87, of Wellington Road, Nairn, made the appeal after it emerged that the Nairn branch of the Royal Air Force Association found its takings down by more than £1,000 after Morrisons and Tesco banned charities from “selling” badges in or outside their premises.

The supermarkets now allow a restricted number of can collections, to named charities, of which the RAFA is not one.

Mr Durbidge volunteered for the RAF when he was 20 and spent the war carrying out photographic reconnaissance, unarmed.

He flew a sky blue Spitfire, adapted to carry several cameras and extra fuel, but no guns, from Malta and from RAF Benson (in Oxfordshire) over France and Germany.

From Malta, Mr Durbidge’s work was to help prevent Rommel getting supplies in North Africa via the north Mediterranean, and to keep watch on British and American forces operating east and west of Tunis.

Mr Durbidge said: “You were invisible from the ground, but not from the air. You had a certain amount of vulnerability because you were not armed.

“The minute you saw anyone else, friendly or other wise, you turned away. You had more fuel and more speed than anyone else. But for a single engine aircraft to go deep into enemy territory, it was a bit dangerous I suppose.”

Mr Durbidge stayed in the RAF after the war, and described his experience in the service as “the best of times.” He urged the public to support the charity’s work.

He said: “RAF families who are down on their uppers need our support.”

A spokeswoman for Tesco said they had one nominated charity which they focused on each year. She said: “This year’s charity is Marie Curie and we have an agreement with them that we will raise as much as we possibly can for them. We do change the charity each year.”

A spokesperson for Morrisons said: “We supports charities in many different ways. Stores can arrange for charities to bag pack, sell badges and allow volunteers to collect with collection tins. However, collection tins cannot be left on the premises.”

Donations can be made through the association’s website: The RAF Association (RAFA) : Welcome

[Kyt]

Distinguished Flying Medal - 16 April 1943
1323273 Sergeant Keith DURBIDGE, No. 683 Squadron.
This airman has completed many missions. He has rendered excellent service, obtaining much valuable information often in the face of opposition both from enemy aircraft and ground defences. He has displayed skill, courage and determination of a high order.

DFC - 4 May 1945
Flight Lieutenant Keith DURBRIDGE*, D.F.M. (143999), R.A.F.V.R., 542 Sqn

*Note the spelling mistake in the DFC

[Nostalgair]

Hi All,

Let's hope the RAFA gets the support it deserves.

Cheers

Owen

[Antipodean Andy]

You'd think the marketing types of the supermarket chains would realise such a thing would be bad publicity for them.