On Monday 22nd April, two special events were held at the Club in recognition of the generosity of the Friends of the RAF Club, a Gold Friends Lunch and Silver Friends Reception. The Friends were launched as a fundraising initiative in 2021 to acknowledge members who provide financial support alongside their valued membership. 

Club President Sir David Walker highlighted the achievements of the Friends saying:

“The word ‘unique’ is one of the most misapplied in common usage. However, when used in reference to the RAF Club I think it is entirely appropriate. Firstly, we are the only single-Service Club in the United Kingdom. In this regard, the Club plays a very important part as a unifier of our officer corps, past and present. We are therefore an integral element of the ethos of the RAF, which underpins its fighting power. Secondly, we are the oldest air force club in the world, formed 106 years ago. Thirdly, we are the only Club, amongst the many in London, that emerged purely from philanthropy. I never tire of showing my guests the letter from Lord Cowdray gifting the extraordinary sum of £350,000 in 1918 to establish the new air services club. The Friends of the Club, of which you are so kindly a part of, are the present-day standard bearers of this spirit of generosity. 

You will well recall that the idea of the Friends emerged from the many financial gifts we received during the Pandemic. These funds enabled us to continue to service the repayments on the loan taken to pay for the new wing of the Club, which was opened as part of our Centenary celebrations. This loyalty and support enabled us to weather one of the most challenging chapters in the Club’s history. The establishment of the Friends has meant that the Club has been able to proceed with a range of enhancements to our facilities which would otherwise have been impossible. It has also allowed us to start building a prudent level of reserves as a bulwark against future uncertainty. 

To date, the Bronze, Silver and Gold Friends, have funded: new main entrance doors and the upgrading of the reception hall; new audio-visual equipment in the Sovereigns Room; made a significant contribution to the renovation of the front façade of our Grade II-listed ‘home from home’; and supported staff welfare. Added to this, 601 Squadron collectively donated over £100,000 to renovate the former Victoria Bar and this year we plan to refurbish the adjacent Presidents Room, which has not had major attention in the last four decades. With the 601 Squadron and Noor Khan Rooms we will then have a lovely suite for flexible use. We shall also be supporting the development programme for apprentice chefs which is led by our extraordinarily talented Executive Chef, Michael Dutnall. This will help us maintain the highest culinary standards for our members and their guests. The apprentices prepared a first-class lunch for us yesterday and came to tell us about the valuable experience they are gaining here at the Club.” 

There are three levels of support: £120-£499pa (Bronze friend); £500-£2499pa (Silver Friend); and £2500+pa (Gold Friend). For further information, please contact Director of Fundraising: claire@rafclub.org.uk