RAF Air Cadets have again provided support to SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity for the stunning summer concerts, held across the length and breadth of England in 2023.
This year’s Battle Proms season in July featured concerts at Blenheim Palace, Burghley House, Hatfield House and Highclere Castle, some of England’s most impressive country houses. The quintessentially British ‘party in the park’ concerts featured unforgettable entertainment, including displays by the Army’s Red Devils, a Spitfire display, with the finale of a two-hour orchestral programme with all the ‘last night of the proms’ favourites, set in stunning surroundings.
RAF Air Cadets co-ordinated and led by Flt Lt Peter Hitchings (Dorset and Wiltshire Wing) with local Air Cadet units including 1315 (Kidlington) Squadron, 2071 (Stamford) Squadron, 2203 (Hatfield and De Havilland) Squadron, 2407 (Yateley) Squadron and 457 (Farnborough) Squadron were in support alongside RAF Reservists from 4624 Squadron. Following meeting and greeting duties, including assisting members of the public on a ‘hearts and minds’ mission, the Cadets were then front and centre working the enthusiastic crowds and assisting in collecting funds for the charity.
Flt Lt Hitchings said “I am extremely grateful to the Staff and Cadets from each of the Squadrons who volunteered this year to support SSAFA at the Battle Proms, and who have helped to raise this fantastic total. The participating Cadets have all been brilliant volunteers and outstanding ambassadors for the RAF Air Cadets, and truly are a credit to their adult staff.”
The Battle Proms concerts have raised £43,679.99, with a staggering £15,931.44 raised at the final concert alone!
The money raised will help SSAFA support the Armed Forces community, current serving personnel, veterans and their families. SSAFA has been Battle Proms’ chosen charity since 2018, and the concerts have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the charity since then, with the RAF Air Cadets supporting for the past 5 years.