Gosport Air Force club calls on community support amid threat of closure
A Royal Air Force club is calling on the community to support it with the threat of closure looming.
RAFA Club Gosport and Solent Branch, White Hart Road, is struggling to stay afloat amid rising costs.
Member volunteers are attempting to raise funds for the club which provides an important community meeting place for locals.
Tony Hitching, part of the committee, said: “The club is coming under increased threat of closure due to the usual situation of rising costs. We do so much for the community and the larger RAF Wings Appeal charity that this would be a great loss, especially locally.
“As well as helping local veterans we run a Thursday coffee morning which sees upwards of 30 local ‘usually older’ people come and socialise for a couple of hours, play bingo and chat with others.
“Wings Appeal days - we have one on the 28 March - see raffles, games, table top sales raise funds for nationwide purposes.
“The club has a lot going for it – including a Wednesday darts youth academy and a girl’s one is being set up for Saturdays.”
Tony said “new members” are needed to stave off the threat of closure.
A fundraiser for a Remembrance Mural also hopes to raise £1,000. Tony added: “We’re hoping it will attract a lot of attention, however progress is slow going. We need to reach a wider audience and ideally any forces out there that may wish to help the club out. We have more navy and army regulars than the Air Force.”
The Go Fund Me for the mural says: “We are all volunteers on the RAFA committees and we are aiming to enhance and improve the external walls of the RAFA Club. We have agreed on a Remembrance Mural from a local artist and a bench.
“We need to raise funds for that and rendering of the wall to ensure the art work lasts. We aim to open the mural on Armed Forces weekend of 27 June.
“If you or a company can support, please help. For companies or significant sponsors we would be willing to sell squares and add your name to the sponsor roll of honour.”
To donate go to: www.gofundme.com/f/remembrance-mural-for-rafa-gosport