Following the 'lockdown' in late March, much has changed at the Club and across the UK as a whole. Daily life has been impacted immeasurably, however, one constant has been the unwavering dedication of Club management and staff in ensuring the Club has remained open for those who need it most.
Led by CEO Miles Pooley, a small team, including a handful who have 'lived in' at the Club, away from their own families, have maintained the Club's warm welcome, impeccable standards of service and a 'home from home' for Key Workers despite the operational challenges. Feedback received by the team, from those staying with us, has been heartening to read:
"I have had the pleasure of again staying at the RAF Club for two of the last three weeks, at a time when the UK is facing what could be the challenge of a generation. The welcome, attention to detail and hospitality shown by your staff have over the past weeks been second to none. I would like to thank you and all your staff for the hard work, friendliness and above all the professionalism that I saw every day and I look forward to staying with you again in the future."
"As I come to the end of my first three weeks in the RAF Club, I thought it timely to express my thanks to you and all your staff for the simply outstanding service you are providing in these very unusual times. The helpful, cheerful and friendly approach of your staff to those of us who are effectively now treating the Club as our home during this virus is making a tremendous difference to our own wellbeing, no matter the hours we are doing. "
Many members have already written to the Club to express their gratitude to the team for their efforts, and to support the Club's stance in deciding to remain open, when it may have been easier to close the doors, as most other London clubs have opted to do. Some of you have also expressed a desire to support the Club financially during these uncertain times, with member donations already received to assist with the monthly operating costs and staff welfare.
It is in direct response to this, and in light of our status as a registered charity, that we have now launched an RAF Club 'Just Giving' charity donations page, to ensure that those members who wish to contribute to these efforts, can more easily do so.
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/rafclubcovid-19
Sadly, it is likely that the financial impact the Club is experiencing at present is only the beginning of the story with the UK hospitality sector expected to be one of the last to resume trading. Social distancing is set to become the 'new normal', impacting the Club's revenue for the foreseeable future.
As alluded to in previous communication, the Club has stoically weathered difficult periods in its 101 year history, from the nightly aerial bombardment of London some 80 years' ago, to the dwindling membership of 1,700 and near closure in the mid-1960s.
This latter episode in the Club’s history became known as ‘The Colonels’ Revolt’ and led to the Club seeking donations and establishing a ‘Survival Fund’; the only other instance, since its foundation in 1918, that the Club has had cause to do so.
Today's situation, is of course, a very different kind of challenge, dramatically affecting both individuals and businesses short and long term. As a Club with a strong, engaged membership and an exceptional team, we are confident that collectively we will meet this challenge head on.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, management and staff, we thank you for your unwavering support, be it through a donation if you are in a position to do so, renewal of your membership later in the year, or words of encouragement. Your loyalty as members means so very much at a time when friends, family and colleagues are apart and we cannot welcome you through the doors in the usual way.
We continue to wish all our members, their families and friends the best of health and we look forward to seeing you at 128 Piccadilly once again when the time is right.
Air Marshal Sue Gray CB OBE RAF
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Supporting the Club
Help Preserve the Future of Your Club with a Donation or Legacy
The Royal Air Force Club is a registered Charity, with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as our Royal Patron. Our Charitable Aims and Mission are designed to support members and their families in a comfortable RAF-friendly environment:
To provide high quality and affordable facilities and services in central London for Club Members, in order to preserve, promote and foster the traditions of the Royal Air Force.
The Club only exists through the generosity and goodwill of its founder, Lord Cowdray back in 1918 and we are forever mindful of this gift, which allowed the purchase and development of the clubhouse at 128 Piccadilly.
In October 1918, the first Viscount Cowdray, President of the Air Board, sent a letter outlining his practical support for the establishment of an RAF Club to the then Chairman of the Royal Flying Corps Club, Sir Sefton Brancker. Enclosed was a cheque for £100,000 “…sufficient to ensure a permanent Club House worthy of the airmen and of their ‘brilliant and superlative heroic work.’”
Registered Charity 1108295
Royal Patron: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
RAF Club Covid-19 Campaign: Message from the Chairman
Our Legacy Vision
Membership of the Club continues to offer a host of benefits, including use of the Grade II listed club in central London, accommodation, exceptional dining and elegant private banqueting rooms perfect for reunions and celebrations.
For so many the Club is rich in memories created over the years, associated with good times spent with friends, colleagues and fellow members. With its shared Royal Air Force history, the Club is a uniquely special place, which celebrates the past endeavours of great men and women, whilst also looking to the future.
To help preserve this future for generations of serving and former serving officers to come, you can either give today in the form of a donation - either a one off donation, a regular direct debit donation, or through a legacy for the future.
"There can be no better way to give something back to the Club that we have loved, than to help others enjoy it in the future."