Lyneham
Hercules crews play Santa
Gazette & Herald
20th December 2007
www.gazetteandherald.co.uk
Servicemen and women from RAF Lyneham played Father Christmas
and headed out to Iraq to deliver presents to troops. A crew
from 24 Squadron, based at RAF Lyneham, flew out at the weekend
with a plane full of Christmas gifts and festive
treats. This included cards, hampers, decorations, mince
pies and Christmas cakes.
But rather than Santa's sleigh they headed out there in
a Hercules plane affectionately known as Fat Albert. Senior
Aircraftswoman Kayleigh Lemon made her own special donation
to the serving troops.
The 20-year-old serving chef was the winner of RAF Lyneham's
annual best cake award and decided to offer her prize-winning
cake to the troops in the Middle East.
A spokesman for RAF
Lyneham said: "Donations from sections around the station
will mean that our thoughts are with those serving personnel
unable to be with their families during the festive season."
Flight Lieutenant Christian Benson, Officer Commanding Catering
said: "It's an event that all the chefs on the squadron
look forward to when they get to pit their culinary skills
against each other and be crowned winner of the annual Christmas
cake competition.
"There is also the added incentive to put that extra
effort in because they all know that the best cakes will
ultimately provide a little festive cheer to those RAF Lyneham
personnel serving in both Afghanistan and Iraq who won't
be fortunate enough to spend Christmas at home with their
families and friends."
Sergeant James Ashwell, an Air
Loadmaster with the squadron, will ensure the goods are
delivered on arrival. Lyneham staff also delivered 50 Christmas dinners to residents
at the Leonard Cheshire Greathouse at Kington Langley on
Monday. After the meal pupils from Chameleon Class Langley
Fitzurse Primary School entertained the diners with Christmas
carols.
Volunteer
co-ordinator at the home Colin Brady said: "This
is a Christmas tradition at the Greathouse and something
everyone looks forward to every year. The food prepared
by RAF Lyneham chefs was top notch and went down an absolute
storm." The home has a longstanding relationship with RAF Lyneham
and has always been supported by the base commanders.
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