Pat and Trevor Hayes: for dedication to veterans’ welfare and fundraising for the Abbots and Kings Langley RAFA Branch and surrounding communities.
Pat and Trevor Hayes display ‘unstinting commitment and leadership and are exceptionally professional in all they do’. They work tirelessly throughout the year and continuously put the needs of others before their own.
Since 2010 they have raised more than £70,000. For more than 15 years, they have planned and executed the annual Battle of Britain parade and service in Abbots Langley. Working with the local authorities, they ensure both go off without a hitch. Several local RAF Air Cadet squadrons, veteran and other youth groups take part and are always led by a band, something the Hayes always manage to arrange – even though bands are getting fewer and further between. Pat and Trevor also support the Remembrance Day service at Hemel Hempstead School each November, representing the Association.
During the year they arrange visits to museums and local attractions, family days, an annual garden party, fish and chips and other lunches and many other branch activities to give members the chance to stay in contact. In December they organise a ‘substantial’ Christmas Dinner live entertainment, a bumper raffle and small gifts for every guest.
Pat Hayes is a very active Honorary Welfare Officer in Watford and Hemel Hempstead and the surrounding area, and many veterans and their families benefit from her diligence.Their nomination said:
“They are a very caring and active couple, at the centre of their community and branch and are RAFA to the core. Undoubtedly, without them the Abbots and Kings Langley Branch would cease to exist, and many veterans and beneficiaries currently, and in the future, would suffer”.
Ali Gibson: for services to the Association and the excellent support of Harrow Branch and Club, and Aylesbury and Halton Branch.
For more than 20 years Ali (Alison) Gibson has worked tirelessly and enthusiastically, delivering welfare support, fundraising, recruiting new members and supporting Area Conferences. An Honorary Welfare Officer at the Harrow and District Branch for the last six years, she has worked closely with the partners of station executives at RAF Northolt to visit and support elderly veterans in need; and enabled the station RAFALOs to then continue her outstanding support work. She visits many other veterans, particularly in the Abbeyfields sheltered housing complex in Aylesbury.
At the monthly Aylesbury and Halton Branch Veterans’ Lunches she plans and prepares “a plethora of desserts”, hosts veterans and encourages serving personnel to share their stories of today’s RAF with retired personnel.
Ali’s “effervescent drive and determination to help support the whole RAF family” helped her provide four years of specialist expertise to maintain the gardens of RAF Halton’s two contact houses, allowing RAF families to enjoy much-valued, private outside space. She has also run the Association’s refreshment and recruitment stands for three years at RAF Halton’s Families’ Day and at the last two RAF Air Cadet Inter Squadron Competitions at the stationHer support to South East and Eastern Area Conferences has been unstinting.
“She just gets on with it, without any fuss”
says Area Divisional Manager, Ailsa Gough. Ali has also supported London fundraising collections for the last two years, helping branch members, RAF collectors and with the area team count. She also supports the Abbots and Kings Langley Branch bi-annual Wings Appeal collections.
