Thursday 6th September 2018
The Ivy Collection is delighted to announce details of an exclusive event being held to raise monies for the RAF Benevolent Fund at The Ivy Norwich Brasserie on Thursday, 20 September.
Continuing the RAF’s centenary celebrations, this unique event presented by The Ivy Norwich Brasserie, will feature a two-course meal with wine, a glass of Champagne on arrival, and talk by Group Captain Ian Townsend, Station Commander at RAF Marham entitled: “RAF Marham and Lightning in the UK”. The evening will conclude with a raffle and auction featuring experiences donated by The Ivy Collection, with all proceeds donated to the RAF Benevolent Fund.
Group Captain Townsend, comments:
“Just as the support of the local community is vital to the ongoing success of RAF Marham, the support of the RAF Benevolent Fund is integral to the ongoing success of its personnel. I am delighted to be speaking at this unique event to share the exciting future of RAF Marham’s newest recruit, the Lightning F35 aircraft, whilst raising vital funds for our welfare charity, the RAF Benevolent Fund.”
Katie Miller, General Manager at The Ivy Norwich Brasserie, comments:
“It’s a real honour to support and raise monies for the RAF Benevolent Fund by hosting this event at The Ivy Norwich Brasserie. Just like the RAF, The Ivy, West Street recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, so we wanted to provide the local community with a unique opportunity to commemorate and celebrate within a relaxed atmosphere in the heart of Norwich.”
Group Captain Townsend took command at RAF Marham on 1, August 2017 after three years in the Lightning Force HQ, filling the roles of Chief of Staff, Deputy Force Commander and Force Commander. He joined the RAF in 1992 and trained on the Harrier GR7 which he flew until it went out of service in 2010. He switched to flying the Typhoon in 2012 taking command of Number 3 (Fighter) Squadron. Group Captain Townsend added a further aircraft to his flying log book when he took command of RAF Marham and trained on the Tornado GR4.
Joining Group Captain Townsend will be Mark Quinn, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund Regional Director who will outline how the RAF Benevolent Fund charity supports serving and retired RAF personnel and their families. Mark served for almost 25 years in the RAF, the majority of that time as a Puma helicopter pilot with 18, 72 and 33 Squadron serving in Germany, Northern Ireland, Kosovo and more recently in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Mark concludes:
“What a night this promises to be! We are delighted The Ivy Norwich Brasserie has decided to support the RAF Benevolent Fund as part of their launch celebrations. As a charity which receives no regular government funding, events like this provide essential funds for us to continue looking after serving and retired RAF personnel and their families, with anything from help to cover care costs in retirement, mobility aids for injured personnel adjusting to life outside the RAF or youth support for children living on RAF stations.”
Tickets (priced at £30 per person) to this one-off event can be purchased online through the The Ivy Norwich Brasserie’s website.
