Foundations laid for Rustington’s new RAF home

The RAF Benevolent Fund’s Princess Marina House has cut the turf on its £360,000 project to convert an existing wing into two new apartments.

It comes after fundraising campaign drummed up an impressive £320,000 for the new facilities, in Seafield Road.

Shirley Steeples, general manager, was ‘excited’ by the scheme’s latest milestone and hoped it would be open in time for Christmas.

She said: “We have so many applications from families who would benefit from a seaside break, including those with ill or disabled children, partners with serious illnesses or RAF personnel recovering from injury. With two new ap-artments we’ll be better placed to meet the extra-ordinary and growing demand we’ve seen over the past few years.”

The new two-bedroom apartments will have all the comforts of home, from cots and high chairs for infants, to gaming systems for older children and a fully fitted kitchen. There will also be a wet room and both homes will be wheelchair accessible.

Air Commodore Paul Hughesdon, director of welfare and policy at the charity, said: “The strain of military life can really take a toll on Service families, and this can be compounded when a child is disabled or a parent is recovering from injury.”

The charity still needs to raise £40,000. To donate, see www.rafbf.org/seasideappeal