Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • RAF Cranwell fundraisers recognised by national charity

Defence Events

RAF Cranwell fundraisers recognised by national charity

Three local fundraisers are celebrating after winning awards for their commitment to a national military charity.

Above: Flight Sergeant Michelle Rees-Martin and Corporal Ash Oldroyd-Clarke accept the Lord Tedder trophy from Air Marshal Sir Baz North, President of the RAF Association. 
Courtesy
RAF Association

Flight Sergeant Michelle Rees-Martin and Corporal Ash Oldroyd-Clarke, both stationed at RAF College Cranwell, received trophies at the Royal Air Forces Association’s annual conference.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

RAF Cranwell received the Lord Tedder Trophy for raising £19,078 for the charity’s Wings Appeal in 2018, the highest collection of any station in the country. Michelle and Ash, who are both RAF Association Liaison Officers (RAFALOs) at the station accepted the trophy.

Michelle said: “We put a lot of hard work into fundraising over the last year since I became Senior RAFALO, and despite being such a small team Ash and I did everything we could to raise more money than any other RAF station in the UK.”

Ash received the Wally Marriott Trophy as RAFALO of the Year. He said: “Michelle and I ensured there was always something going on, from our Santa run to events with Cranwell Primary School. We also worked with the Association’s Cranwell Branch to help raise this great total for the charity.”

Mike Smith, Secretary of the Association’s Cranwell Branch, received a National Presidential Certificate for his 18 years of service to the charity, which supports the wellbeing of the RAF family.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Mike, who retired from the RAF in 1993, said: “I’ve been very active in the Cranwell Branch since joining in 2001 – you have to keep the grey matter active once you retire, as I learned when I worked in resettlement!

“Ash and Michelle at RAF Cranwell managed to raise an incredible amount last year. Everyone at Cranwell Branch was proud to be involved, and this year we’ve got even more events planned.”


 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Valarian and 2F enter strategic partnership

Defence

Valarian and 2F enter strategic partnership

10 February 2026

Second Front Systems (2F) today announced a strategic partnership with Valarian, to advance sovereign defence systems across the UK and Europe, as NATO members increase commitments.

BAE Systems to provide allied nations with CMWS

Defence

BAE Systems to provide allied nations with CMWS

10 February 2026

BAE Systems has received Foreign Military Sales contracts from the US Army valued at $137 million to deliver its AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) to allied nations.

Supacat highlighting HMT variant at WDS

Defence

Supacat highlighting HMT variant at WDS

9 February 2026

Supacat is attending the World Defense Show (WDS) in Saudi Arabia from 8th-12th February 2026, to discuss the latest High Mobility Transporter platform (HMT) variant, the Armoured Closed Cab capability, in the UK pavilion.

BlackTree Technologies to deliver AI capable equipment to British soldiers

Defence

BlackTree Technologies to deliver AI capable equipment to British soldiers

9 February 2026

British soldiers will be able to make faster, better decisions on the battlefield through thousands of new AI capable radios, headsets and tablets with futuristic sensor data.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
UK Government introduces ‘fast track’ apprenticeships reforms

Aerospace Defence Security Space

UK Government introduces ‘fast track’ apprenticeships reforms

9 February 2026

Young people will be given a quicker route into high-quality jobs on major projects as the UK Government slashes red tape to fast-track the process.

Two-thirds of parents back apprenticeships as first choice after school

Aerospace Defence Security Space

Two-thirds of parents back apprenticeships as first choice after school

9 February 2026

To coincide with the start of National Apprenticeship Week 2026 (9th – 15th February), one of the UK’s largest apprenticeship providers, BAE Systems, has analysed Censuswide’s survey of the latest attitudes of young people and parents

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
Advertisement
ECS leaderboard banner