WITH RAF Odiham just a stone’s throw away, a pub has decided to support the Royal Air Force with its latest fundraising venture.

Staff at The Red Lion, based in High Street, Odiham are set to raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund - the RAF’s leading welfare charity - by carrying out a number of initiatives in the coming weeks, in this year the air force celebrates the 100th anniversary of its formation.

One of the things the pub is looking to do is give a 20p donation from every pint of Red Mist Ale sold.

The team which run the pub will also look to raise money through a sponsored walk of Hadrian’s Wall across the north of England, with the aim of conquering 86 miles over three days.

Since opening in May 2017, the team at The Red Lion has raised more than £1,600 for various charities and the latest fundraising task will run in conjunction with the celebration of RAF100, the anniversary of the formation of the RAF.

Marketing manager for The Red Lion, Sophie Cook said: “We have many serving and former members of the RAF who are loyal customers at the pub, and we happily offer a discount to them.

“It was easy for us, in the 100th year of the Royal Air Force, to support the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund to help show our ongoing support to the RAF families, both locally and further afield.”

In the last two years the RAF Benevolent Fund has spent more than £460,000 supporting RAF personnel based at RAF Odiham and their families.

This includes support through free relationship counselling sessions with specialists Relate, funding for youth programmes like Airplay and Ben Clubs, as well as individual grants to serving men and women who are in need.

Paul Hewson, regional director for the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “Local support means a lot to the Fund; without it we simply wouldn’t be able to spread awareness of what we do for those in the RAF, past and present, to the public.

“Everyone at The Red Lion in Odiham has been so generous with both their time and efforts.

“We really are grateful to them for helping the RAF Family, and look forward to working together in the year ahead.”