I am planning to undertake a number of charity bike rides this year in aid of The British Heart Foundation. Anyone who wishes to support me, can do so by either joining me on any of the rides (if you think you’re up to it). Alternatively, I have set up BHF sponsorship pages which are set up for each venture. Should you wish to make a donation it would be greatly appreciated and can be done by logging onto the links below;-

http://www.bhf.org.uk/sponsor/johnlindars
http://www.bhf.org.uk/sponsor/bn

Should you require any further information regarding events or sponsorship, then feel free to contact me;-

C/T “BN” Lindars WTC RAF Cottesmore Ext 6766

FUNERAL OF SAC(T) DAVID ANDREW CROFT, J8401349, W TECH,
RAF WITTERING
(Sponsor: RAF Wittering)

1. A military funeral will be held on Thu 1 Mar 07 in No 3 Hangar at RAF Wittering. The service will commence at 1200hrs and all friends and former colleagues are welcome to attend, all personnel should assemble by 1140hrs. This will be followed by a service at Peterborough Crematorium for family and close friends only. Following the service at RAF Wittering, there will be a reception in Wittering Village Sports and Social Club.

2. Those wishing to attend the funeral should contact Flt Lt Smith, OC PSF, on mil 95351
Ext 7478 for co-ordination.

3. Dress for Service personnel will be No 1 SD with medals, Officers and WOs are to wear brown gloves and black armbands. In accordance with the wishes of the family, floral tributes may be sent to R J Scholes, Funeral Directors, St Georges St, Stamford, Lincs. Alternatively, donations to the RAF Benevolent Fund may be made care of the same address.

It is with sad regret that i have just heard that Dave Croft of 5131(BD) Sqn passed away suddenly on the evening of 9th February 2007,whilst out with guys from Support Flt enjoying an evening of BB Paintball at RAF Wittering.
More details to follow when known.

Yvonne has asked that the following message be posted.

Jessica, Beth and I, would like to thank everyone who attended John's funeral last Friday and the many who couldn't get down but we know were thinking of us. Although an extremely sad day, I was glad to see so many of John's friends and colleagues who had managed to get away from work to be with us and I know that he will be fondly remembered by so many of you.
Thank you all for all your support throughout last year and for your kind messages and thoughts.

Yvonne Longstaff.

John's funeral was attended by many friends and colleagues, estimates of around 300 are as close as we can get. For the 30 or so that had to stand outside, I would like to thank you especially. I had said to Yvonne that my last fear was just how many would turn up, I really needn't have worried. For those that were unable to attend, we hope to post some pictures of the day once we've got them off the Stn photographers. We drank the mess dry twice, and all in all I think we all saw John off in a manner he would have appreciated.

Tom Thompson.

The funeral service for John will take place on Fri 5th Jan 07 at 14:00 in St George's Church, RAF Marham; followed by the burial in the Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery in Marham village. After the burial it is planned to hold a wake in the WO & Sgts'Mess.

Yvonne has asked that no flowers be sent and instead donations to Shouldham Ward at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn would be greatly appreciated. A collection will be made during the service and the proceeds will be forwarded to Shouldham Ward.

The policy line is Service personnel are to wear No1 Dress with medals; Officers, gloves and black arm bands, but I'm sure that the most important bit is that you get there if you can.

There is a limited amount of Service accommodation available, but the various mess' will not be open until the new year and I'm sure will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Should you require further information please contact me at "tomthompson_uk@yahoo.co.uk" or from next Wednesday 3rd Jan 07 at work on 01760 337261 Ext 3512.

Finally, I hope to put a book together for Yvonne and the girls of Johns exploits both large and small. Any short stories that you wish to pen up and send along with any pictures you have would be gratefully received.

Please pass this information on to all, if anyone can put it onto e-goat I'd appreciate it. Hope to see a lot of you next Friday, in the mean time have a great New Year.

Tom Thompson.