Newark to Wyton: Cyclists hit final stretch of 600-mile RAF fundraiser

A team of cyclists are setting off from Newark on Friday for the final leg of a gruelling 600-mile journey to raise money for RAF children.

The ‘Riding on Air’ challenge has taken the 15-strong team through Scotland and England over the past week, stopping at RAF stations along the way – including RAF Waddington on Thursday – to meet families supported by the RAF Benevolent Fund’s Airplay programme.

Airplay, which marks its 15th anniversary this year, provides safe spaces and youth clubs for children from RAF families, who often face anxiety, frequent moves and disrupted friendships due to service life.

Organiser Andrew Crompton, who has already completed major cycle rides across the world, is leading the challenge with a £60,000 fundraising target.

“Being deployed to different bases, constantly moving around, having to find new friendship groups, having to start some new skills is really tough," said Andrew.

"What Airplay does is act as a conduit between all the 24 bases where kids can make friends.

"RAF personnel that are serving abroad at the moment, to know that their kids are being looked after in that safe, secure environment, it gives them a lot of comfort when they're actually been deployed."

The ride began at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland on September 12 and will finish on September 19 yat RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire.

Supporters can donate via the team’s JustGiving page.