Betrayed

[sausage2]

Just read THIS (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/02/25/nraf25.xml) on the Times website. WTF is wrong with these people. Surely if they won't pay the bill, we at the goat could raise the money. I know we don't get treaded the best, but this has made my blood boil


RAF sends airman's family £1,000 funeral bill

By Sean Rayment, Defence Correspondent, Sunday Telegraph


Last Updated: 12:30am GMT 25/02/2007



The Royal Air Force has been accused of a "betrayal of the highest order" after refusing to pay a £1,000 bill for flowers and tea at the funeral of an airman killed on operations in Afghanistan.



Flight Sergeant Gary Wayne Andrews, a 48-year-old father of two who had served in the RAF for more than 30 years, was one of 14 servicemen killed after a Nimrod MR2 reconnaissance aircraft crashed in Afghanistan in September last year.

The crash, which left nine women widowed and 17 children fatherless, was the largest loss of life suffered by Britain's armed services since the Falklands War in 1982. All Nimrod MR2 aircraft were grounded on Friday after a routine safety check revealed a dent in a fuel pipe.

Flt Sgt Andrews's parents, Peter and Joyce, both 74 from Nottingham, learned that the RAF was refusing to settle the bill after receiving a letter from the funeral director. The letter said that while the RAF were prepared to pay funeral costs of £3,249 they were not prepared to pay a £425 bill for flowers or £606 for tea and biscuits consumed by the 300 people who attended the funeral in November last year.

The RAF's refusal to pay the funeral bill in full has been condemned by MPs and colleagues of the late serviceman as a disgrace and a further example of the Government's poor treatment of the family's of servicemen who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Peter Andrews, who served in both the RAF and the Royal Engineers for more than 22 years, said that he did not think it was "unreasonable for the RAF to pay a bill for flowers and tea for a man who had given his life in the service of his country".

He said: "The Government has spent hundreds of millions of pounds on the war in Iraq and millions on the Jorge Mendonca trial yet they were not prepared to pay the bill for my son's funeral.


"My wife and I were both hurt when we received the letter from the funeral director. I haven't even told Kristina, Gary's widow, because I didn't want to upset her and I'm glad the funeral director sent the bill to me rather than to her.

"I'm not bothered about the money, it's just the attitude of the RAF. My son laid his life and the MoD can't be bothered to pay a bill for tea and biscuits and flowers at the funeral. Given that Gary died as a result of mechanical failure in an RAF aircraft, I don't think it would be unreasonable for the RAF to pick up the bill. But to say 'We will pay for the funeral but not the cost of the flowers or refreshments is just distasteful'.

"Gary's funeral was attended by 300 people some of whom came from as far as the United States. There were colleagues who came back to Britain for a week and went to five funerals. The least we could offer them was a cup of tea."

The letter from the Graham J Rattray funeral directors, said: "I have not burdened Kristina with this and find it a disgrace and very disrespectful that the RAF would not settle the complete amount in honour of someone who lost his life serving his country."


The cost of a wake is sometimes paid out of a unit commander's own budget and is done so at his discretion. A former colleague of Flt Sgt Andrews, who asked not to be named, said that the RAF's position was "indefensible". The officer said: "It's a -disgrace that Gary's family should be treated like this. I hope who ever made this decision is proud of their actions."

Liam Fox, the shadow defence secretary, said: "When the Government has spent around £8 billion on the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan and at a time when the armed forces are losing personnel because many of them feel undervalued, this will only -reinforce the sense that the men and women who make military operations possible are not at the top of the MoD agenda."

Gerald Howarth, the Tory MP and chairman of the all party RAF group, said the -refusal of the MoD to pay the bill amounted to a betrayal of the armed forces. "These men effectively died in action. The very least the MoD could do is pick up the funeral bill."

A spokesman for the MoD said: "The cost of flowers and a wake are regarded by the MoD as personal expressions of sympathy and cannot be paid for by public funds."

[wgaf]

Why oh why am I not suprised.
I'd be more than willing to chip in to any collection for that. It does make you wonder if the same things happened at the other funerals of the lads and lasses killed out there.

[lisab]

Yep it certainly makes the blood boil! Especially when we all know how much money they waste on other sh1te such as bl00dy psychics etc! I would definately put some money in the pot for this

[Homer's Right Hand Man]

Disgrace is the only word I can think of to describe this. And people are wondering why we're getting hacked off with the RAF. :mad:

If it comes to it I'll chip in too to help out.

[monobrow]

Bet they rung it through JPA.

Absolute f*ckers. I'd like to think, that should the worst happen, My family would be looked after. This too has made my blood boil, and will chip in if required.

Sounds stupid, but I could get on a PR campaign (being in radio) and do something sponsored to bring it out into the public eye. That really is shocking though.

[Chuffybum]

I've spent 38 years in the RAF (for Queen & Country and all that) and am, just approaching the end of my career. I always believed that if the worst happened then the RAF would look after my wife & family in a considerate manner. I (like most other loyal Servicemen) have never asked any favours of the Service but always believed in them looking after us. I am so so disappointed in this story that it genuinely hurts. I'm based at Lossie so I'm next door to Kinloss and I intend bringing this subject up with my Stn Cdr this week. Count me in on any donation.

[Vim_Fuego]

Annoying but lets just see if the bill still exists come Monday morninng...The rest of the press will be all over this like a rash within 24hrs and I reckon there'll be a change of heart...

There was a fund set up after the crash although I'm not sure of it's name or intended uses...I'll try and find out today.

If, and I doubt there will, be a need for donations we have £479 in the charity fund with so far no definitive home so some of that could be used...

[Hu Jardon]

Yet again a shining example of the way we treat our people - p!ss poor

However what worries me is - How many other grieving families have faced this and have quietly paid up?

[Edzar]

This is an absolute disgrace. I hope the RAF is hanging it's head in shame. Why does it seem these days that every day we wake up to another completely crass decision by these muppets.
Having served 23 years and still got 8 to do, it is another reason to leave early if this is the way we are going to be treated when we are six feet under, having been put there serving for this outfit.

[Lamptramp]

.... all of the above!

Count me in if needed.

[ElTenEleven]

Is there anyway I could make a contribution towards this cost? I would not like the family to fund this!

::/:

[Tashy_Man]

Is there anyway I could make a contribution towards this cost? I would not like the family to fund this!

::/:

I think everyone one here feels the same....lets see what happens but i'm sure we could raise the required amount within hours.....might be worth doing just to show we can look after our own better than the RAF does or can.

[Max]

Well I'm not surprised,It's things like this that should make you realise that you are not important to the RAF,Government and that as soon as you have done what they want you to do they will forget about you.It's all very well committing yourself to the RAF but think what you'll get back if you give up your family life etc.

[SirSaltyHelmet]

£10 quid off 60 goaters... Ill put mine in now

[referee806]

You can count on my support for any monies that are collected. This is the worst example of the powers that be, being out of touch with the rest of civilisation.

[rugby then work]

I'll go with the donations, happy to put £10 into the pot. We doing this through the normal egoat donations?

[True Blue Jack]

Count me in as well. Can we have a volunteer from Kinloss to co-ordinate the donations?

[Sospan]

Truly heart wrenching!

Count me in if it happens....

[Vim_Fuego]

I echo Tashy man sentiment in saying 'sit on your hands' for a while...If the cross section on here fell this strongly I can only imagine the mood up at Kinloss so for now just watch and wait...I think it will all go away.

[monobrow]

so for now just watch and wait...I think it will all go away.

Definitely... there are funds about that would probably cough it up for the family. If not a station whip round... But if need be, we're here.

[Bitburger]

This is a total and utter disgrace, just who is the clown that made this decision? This is a damming indictment of the Royal Air Force.

[Realist78]

At a time of personal distress for the family, this is inexcusable. I sincerely hope that the fecker who rubber stamped this disgraceful decision drowns in his own festering sh1t!

[League Any Time]

So what are our Airships doing apart from sipping pimms. Time to get some b*lls Airships and tell Tony and his bean counters to feck off and pay the bill

[Mrs_Monobrow]

This whole stroy made my blood boil. As a wife, i would like to think that if the worst happened, me and my children would have some kind of support from the RAF. This comment really got me though.........

[quote=Sauasge 2] A spokesman for the MoD said: "The cost of flowers and a wake are regarded by the MoD as personal expressions of sympathy and cannot be paid for by public funds."

Who has ever been to a funeral where there wasnt a wake or flowers???? A funeral without flowers is a very sorry affair and i regard the wake as part of the funeral!

The idiot that refused this bill is a disgrace to the RAF, this country and the human race!!!! :PDT_Xtremez_32:

[r0jaws]

I'm in, if you guys are organising donations towards this bill I don't mind paying for a few packs of biscuits and some flowers, it's the least we can do.

[student-grant]

count me in .........what a fecking bunch of arseholes .....

[Cooheed]

A highly emotive subject but I'm with Vim on this. I'd sit on this as I suspect the bill won't be around for long. It really is a sad state of affairs when 'they' will not pay for certain elements of a funeral and heap more misery on already distraught families. I'm sure this could have been sorted out before the need to hit the press with it. If anyone wants details of the 120 Memorial Fund, PM me.

PS. You wouldn't believe the cost for the flowers at the Memorial. Nuff said.

[bigsteviej]

BSJ sat here on stand-by if it doesn't get sorted at ISK...

the ruddy press though are leaches.. we/others would of got wind of this anyway, so why print it and make matters worse for the families?

[gemarriott]

No need to say should the need arise my hand will be in my pocket in a flash. This is without doubt an absolute disgrace of the worst kind.

It has made the papers, the Sunday Mirror reported it today, they also report that the MOD is looking at the bill again. Like Vim says it probably won't exist by Monday morning.


Let's watch this one.

[The Panther]

Very sad story, but not a suprising one. Everyday i'm presented with more reasons to leave this once great airforce, its days like these that makes me embarassed to be in.

[Mrs_Monobrow]

A highly emotive subject but I'm with Vim on this. I'd sit on this as I suspect the bill won't be around for long. It really is a sad state of affairs when 'they' will not pay for certain elements of a funeral and heap more misery on already distraught families. I'm sure this could have been sorted out before the need to hit the press with it. If anyone wants details of the 120 Memorial Fund, PM me.

PS. You wouldn't believe the cost for the flowers at the Memorial. Nuff said.

Who cares how much flowers cost?? Money isnt everything.

[Cooheed]

Who cares how much flowers cost?? Money isnt everything.

You miss the point Mrs M. If it wasn't everything this embarassing situation would not have occured :PDT_Xtremez_21:

[Mrs_Monobrow]

You miss the point Mrs M. If it wasn't everything this embarassing situation would not have occured :PDT_Xtremez_21:

Sorry, i meant to 'normal' people money isnt everything. To the holders of the purse strings, they would rather spend public funds on psychics and such crap!!

[Realist78]

No need to say should the need arise my hand will be in my pocket in a flash. This is without doubt an absolute disgrace of the worst kind.

It has made the papers, the Sunday Mirror reported it today, they also report that the MOD is looking at the bill again. Like Vim says it probably won't exist by Monday morning.


Let's watch this one.


The trouble is, by Monday morning the damage has already been done.::/:

[dkh51250]

If this is the case, is it just a one off or is it being applied right across the board to all ranks of all services? If so, those responsible should be named and shamed. If, funds need raising count me in.

[True Blue Jack]

The rules on military funerals and where the costs should fall are laid down in QRs and have not changed since WW1. Basically, the MoD will pay for the funeral service, the hire of the church, and the vicar. They will also pay for the headstone but will not pay for any inscription over and above the standard name, rank, number, date and RAF crest. Wakes and flowers never come out of the public purse, but Harry Staish has the opportunity to dip into his welfare fund (non-public money).

I guess the Staish at ISK saw the bill for £1K and realised that it could get very expensive if he set the precedent. I wouldn't mind betting he invited OC Accounts around for Sunday lunch as soon as he saw the papers this morning.

[Dad Widowmaker]

When the hat goes round count me in

I bet if a MP or Royal got killed out there The bill would be paid in full on time, no questions asked.

[Realist78]

The rules on military funerals and where the costs should fall are laid down in QRs and have not changed since WW1. Basically, the MoD will pay for the funeral service, the hire of the church, and the vicar. They will also pay for the headstone but will not pay for any inscription over and above the standard name, rank, number, date and RAF crest. Wakes and flowers never come out of the public purse, but Harry Staish has the opportunity to dip into his welfare fund (non-public money).

I guess the Staish at ISK saw the bill for £1K and realised that it could get very expensive if he set the precedent. I wouldn't mind betting he invited OC Accounts around for Sunday lunch as soon as he saw the papers this morning.

Is that not at the heart of a lot of our problems? It's high time some of our ancient rules and reg's were reviewed. Just because it's there in black and white doesn't mean that it shouldn't be challenged if it's plainly wrong.:PDT_Xtremez_09:

[metimmee]

This is a real shame since I was led to believe that all the stops had been pulled out following the loss of CXX/3. I suspect this is an error and not reflective of the wishes of the hierachy.

That said, I would be pleased to coordinate any collection if required. Administratively, I think the easiest thing would be to enter into an agreement with the current fund so that cheques submitted from any appeal that we initiate from within the Goat/PPrune are paid into the CXX appeal fund account. Any excess of the £1000 to be kept by the CXX appeal fund.

For now, we should just wait and see though.

[Captain Gatso]

[QUOTE][QUOTE]A spokesman for the MoD said: "The cost of flowers and a wake are regarded by the MoD as personal expressions of sympathy and cannot be paid for by public funds."[/FONT]:PDT_Xtremez_32:


This has got me firing on both barrels here. The fcuking *******s. Sorry for such strong language. However this is the response that is appropriate for such arrogant wnakers. People who sign up to make the ultimate sacrifice for Queen and country so to speak. I think should be held in the uttermost respect by the Goverment of the day, or any day come to that. When things such as this, and this is a new low here by the MOD. Happen, it just goes to prove that the covenant between the Goverment and the Armed forces, has well and truly been broken. The person who made those comments, should say those comments again. Right at the faces of the families who have lost loved ones. See if He or She can look them in the eye..:PDT_Xtremez_32: :PDT_Xtremez_32: :PDT_Xtremez_32:

[laboratoryqueen]

I was at work when this thread was posted so only getting to see it now, and I've avoided all the papers when I'm at work, cos of the pathetic lies the media concoct where anything Nimrod is related, and so pleased I did miss it, seen it now though

WTF


Okay a few things, and yes I am damn pretty fecking furious right now so apologies as I'm a little on the nuclear side.

I haven't received a bill yet, thank f**k, however I do think that this will be overturned, but the heartache given to his poor family is going to be devastating.

One thing though that does make me very confused is if they want it kept from his wife, why have they gone to the press, as she'll certainly know about it now, as will all the other families, cos I now know about it, could have been sorted privately, as it's now kicked off a sh$t load of distress to the rest of the families too, wondering if we're now going to get the same letters from our funeral directors.

We all know the media are a bunch of cnuts and will use any means to sell their papers, so why give them the ammo to do it.

[Sisterpain]

I think everyone one here feels the same....lets see what happens but i'm sure we could raise the required amount within hours.....might be worth doing just to show we can look after our own better than the RAF does or can.



I agree Tashy, might be worth doing to prove a point; I can’t believe the audacity behind the stingy purse strings! Doesn’t it make you feel cared for!

If this bill hasn’t disappeared by Monday I’m in for £10 just let me know how were paying.

[FOMz]

I've got ten british pounds in my pocket waiting for the hat to go round.

Disgraceful is the only word I can say about this, Disgraceful.

[Jim_P_Pulfrew]

Having seen first hand what a sterling job all here at the secret wilts did after '179 was shot down, and the efforts of some who have been a right royal pain in Neu Arbeit's asre keeping the fight for foam (and other issues) at the forefront ever since, I am absolutely incandescant with rage at this vile situation.

I too am sat with a picture of Her Maj in my wallet ready to donate, just say where and when.

If we can't look after our own, this once proud service really has gone to hell in a hand cart. They have the brass neck to talk of the miltary covenant. I for one will be slightly uneasier when I am called to fly into some desert full of hostile locals than I used to be, when I felt sure that if the worst happened, my family would be looked after.

[Chuffybum]

It hit the local papers this morning. I doubt it will be long before the bill is recinded. An absolute disgrace is all I can say. Loyalty........... they don't know the meaning of the word!

[Line35]

I have e-mailed OC 120 Sqn - CC the Stn Cdr - to ask if there is a means where donations (mine to start off with) could be made. I will post if I get a response.

Signed Appalled of High Wycombe

[PeanutPhil]

The person who authorised the sending of the bill to the family should feel utterly ashamed. Disgusting that people can be treated in such a way.
Any whipround, you can count me in.

[Mrs_Monobrow]

it may be in QRs about the flowers etc...but how many families will know this?..They should have covered the entire expence.And the person who decided not to should be made to appologise to all the families for the distress..personally!!


Agreed. I wouldnt know what would be covered if the worst happened. The least they could have done was inform the family before hand, you know a kind of we cover this, this and this but if you want this, it has to be paid for personally. It still doesnt make it right in my eyes, This man died for his country, for his service, the service should pay for everything, but a warning would have been a lot less distressing.

Count me in for a whip round too.

[True Blue Jack]

Is that not at the heart of a lot of our problems? It's high time some of our ancient rules and reg's were reviewed. Just because it's there in black and white doesn't mean that it shouldn't be challenged if it's plainly wrong.:PDT_Xtremez_09:

Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with the chapter and verse, but I thought people may appreciate another viewpoint. I don't believe for one moment that the bill was sent to the family without some serious soul-searching. If it was, then heads will probably roll, and rightly so.

[TrenchardsLoveSock]

Absolutely despicable:PDT_Xtremez_25:

Over a year ago someone down here passed away at home after work (bear with me, this is relevant).

While this was obviously very sad I hardly knew the bloke (one 5 minute chat and a few work related phone calls and emails, we didn't even work in the same building) so felt no need to attend his funeral as I am a firm believer that they are for family and friends.

Unfortunately the management didn't feel the same way and for a week I had them trying to press gang me into going.

No offence to the deceased and his family, but in light of my experience, how many of the 300 people supping tea and eating biccies were rounded up by the management in order to "provide a good turn out"?

I'll cough up a few quid if the need arises too.

[VBT1]

Who ever made this decision needs naming and shaming.
If the person responsible is reading this, please accept my sincere compliments YOU are a cnut.

[CodeMonkey]

QRs or not it is still sickening, coupled with the press knocking on doors up at ISK when it first happened just makes you wonder what kind of world we are living in.

Count me in for the whip round.

[sparks will fly]

I am slightly baffled here by this one. Why cant they pay for it out of the CXX fund? Myself and two other chaps raised £250 for this fund and where told it was to go to the wives to do with whatever they wished.
This has really got my back up as my family know Gary Andrews wife and kids and they deserve alot more from the RAF.

[Vim_Fuego]

Heres the official and very timely response...It's not the response I was looking for personally which goes along the lines of 'We apologise for the admin mess...consider it sorted'.

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/DefenceNewsDaily.htm

(First para.)

[MingMong]

Absolutely disgraceful.

in the light of the family’s distress the RAF will be in touch to establish whether or not there has been a misunderstanding and to see of what further help can be offered.

They haven't even got the decency to say they messed up on this one, they seem to pretty much be accusing Gary Andrews' family of misunderstanding.

Anyhow, when our illustrious leaders make these sort of cock-up's, it's good to see that the rank and file (goaters) are willing to rally round to help out.

Consider me down to donate if required, but I seriously hope that this will be rectified 'in house'

[Al Mac]

An absolute disgrace. A sad reflection on a once proud Royal Air Force that has been dragged down by self serving politicians with their own agendas and bean counters with an obsession with pennies, whilst millions are wasted.
And they wonder why good people are leaving in droves.
Count me in for a donation should this despicable matter not by resolved
You just couldn't make it up.............

[Get Tae]

Count me in too, I knew Gary, he would be shaking his head at this one.........

[Scaley brat]

Absolutely disgraceful.
when our illustrious leaders make these sort of cock-up's, it's good to see that the rank and file (goaters) are willing to rally round to help out.

Consider me down to donate if required, but I seriously hope that this will be rectified 'in house'

Same here, I'm baffled at the thinking process these people use when they treat the guys at the sharp end this way, it's truly unforgiveable :PDT_Xtremez_17:
Money here if needed too !

[Max]

I can't imagine that lying slapper cherie being sent a bill for tea and biscuits if tony drowned in his own bull**it I'd imagine it might cost slightly less than the 2012 olympics but only just and taken from the public coffers that's equality for you eh! Labour the peoples party :PDT_Xtremez_06:

[Scaley brat]

I can't imagine that lying slapper cherie being sent a bill for tea and biscuits if tony drowned in his own bull**it I'd imagine it might cost slightly less than the 2012 olympics but only just and taken from the public coffers that's equality for you eh! Labour the peoples party :PDT_Xtremez_06:

More like having a party at the people's expense ::P:

[Tom S]

An absolute disgrace. A sad reflection on a once proud Royal Air Force that has been dragged down by self serving politicians with their own agendas and bean counters with an obsession with pennies, whilst millions are wasted.

Couldnt agree more, another with a donation if required.

[tazmav]

I wish I could say that I was surprised. We had a visit form the Air Officer for Personnel and he asked what they can do about retention?

HOW ABOUT LOOKING AFTER YOUR OWN!!!!

:mad:

[laboratoryqueen]

I won't pretend I wasn't angered by this on first hearing about it, and I don't begin to understand the reasoning for the decision, however, don't lose sight of everything which has been done to help the families in these most difficult times.

From the moment of the accident and still ongoing, there has been support available for all families. Constant communications between the RAF and familiy members, which did remove the "not knowing" distress, for the repatriation, the RAF provided drivers and transport to enable the families to be present, accomodation and even food and drinks were paid for, and when you take into account there was approx 160 familiy members which attended, that comes to some figure. Add onto that the amounts which have been paid towards the funerals and all the behind the scene costs, memorial ceremony etc, I don't really see it as tight purse strings.

I think it should have been handled in a different manner however, if they knew the flowers and wake wouldn't be paid by them, it really should have been discussed prior to the funerals, and not by letter several months after the event.

It's easy to forget the good which has been done because of one bad decision.

[FOMz]

Well said LQ.

[mightyhunter]

where do i sign up? i've got a tenner burning a hole in my wallet, ready to into the pot.

[Cooheed]

On your side LQ. They were all laid to bed respectfully, honourably and with the utmost dignity. The bill leaves a bad taste in the mouth though

[Line35]

Further to my previous posting ref trying to gain a contact to make a contribution towards the cost - I was officially talked at, at some length and left in no doubt as to the official stance. My point of view was not welcomed and earned me the disapproval of those on high.

As a serving member I can make no further input into this thread..... other than to say if anyone else has any better luck in finding out how Mrs Line 35 can make a donation let me know!

[Max]

Obviously you hit a raw nerve there then. I'd imagine that even the staish feels the same way but probably hasn't the balls to say anything for fear of losing promotion, Still he could always get a job with the last one flying for some Airline eh!

[wobbly]

Further to my previous posting ref trying to gain a contact to make a contribution towards the cost - I was officially talked at, at some length and left in no doubt as to the official stance. My point of view was not welcomed and earned me the disapproval of those on high.

As a serving member I can make no further input into this thread..... other than to say if anyone else has any better luck in finding out how Mrs Line 35 can make a donation let me know!

So what if an ex-member of the RAF managed to glean some info?

[Tashy_Man]

So what if an ex-member of the RAF managed to glean some info?

Ex or serving....if it got answers i would pester all those in the know to the full extent.....Line35 you obviously have some connections or know who to talk to.....if you would be happy to PM the details of people you have talked to I will endevour to "progress" this further. I only have 337 days left in so what can they do to me !!

Crack on.............:PDT_Xtremez_09:

[Realist78]

Ex or serving....if it got answers i would pester all those in the know to the full extent.....Line35 you obviously have some connections or know who to talk to.....if you would be happy to PM the details of people you have talked to I will endevour to "progress" this further. I only have 337 days left in so what can they do to me !!

Crack on.............:PDT_Xtremez_09:

Don't tempt the drafters, 'stan might benefit from your presence!:PDT_Xtremez_08:

[Tashy_Man]

Don't tempt the drafters, 'stan might benefit from your presence!:PDT_Xtremez_08:

If they can justify my presence and it doesn't interfere with my resettlement i'll gladly go.....doub't if you could find a free month though between here and disscharge....unlucky drafters :-)

Now any of the Airships or others want a chat....give me a call i'm sure you can work out where i am...

Crack on...............:PDT_Xtremez_09:

[Sisterpain]

So what’s the sketch having the MOD paid the bill or are we donating? Anyone know?

[MrMasher]

How on earth did I manage to miss this thread?
Absolutely shocking!

A spokesman for the MoD said: "The cost of flowers and a wake are regarded by the MoD as personal expressions of sympathy and cannot be paid for by public funds."
What the fcuk is a funeral then if not being personal expressions of sympathy?
Unbelievable, especially when you think of all the pointless meetings that occur in the RAF, where all manner of people book centres, etc, and have a "budget" for social/ents etc.
Disgusting, make me feel sick and thoroughly ashamed of our airforce.
Count me in also..................

[MrMasher]

Just been on the mod.uk site and found this: (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/DefenceNewsDaily.htm)

Weekend 24-25 and Monday 26 February 2007

DEFENCE IN THE MEDIA

Funeral costs and the RAF
Various media report that the family of Flt Sgt Andrews, who was killed on operations in Afghanistan, have been billed for the cost of the flowers and refreshments at his wake. The funeral held for Flight Sergeant Gary Andrews was held at public expense, at a cost of £3,250. Although this did not include the cost of flowers and refreshments at the wake, which should have been explained by the visiting officer, in the light of the family’s distress the RAF will be in touch to establish whether or not there has been a misunderstanding and to see of what further help can be offered.

I suggest the further help would entail paying of the fcuking bill!

[FOMz]

Guys,
If any of you want to make a donation to the memorial fund - here's where to send it to:

Donations to the MEMORIAL FUND can be made out to 'Service Funds' and sent to Sgt Morrison, 120 Squadron, RAF Kinloss, Moray, IV36 0UH.

[mad_mo]

A quick post to say all bills have been payed..

[FOMz]

From what I hear, the RAF sorted it out. Good stuff.

[TrenchardsLoveSock]

A quick post to say all bills have been payed..

As it should have been in the first place.

I was feeling slightly sick at the prospect of having to reach into my pocket.:PDT_Xtremez_34:

[Scaley brat]

From what I hear, the RAF sorted it out. Good stuff.

So they bl00dy well should. I sincerely hope the family have received a strong grovelling apology for all the cr@p they were put through as well. The people who make these decisions should have a little more thought where grieving relatives are concerned. Heartless barstuds ::/: