RAF Red Arrows take military mental health challenge over £100,000 ahead of Eastbourne Airshow

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, have taken on The Medicine Ball Challenge, devised to represent the burden of mental health problems, in the build up to the Eastbourne International Airshow (17-20 August) to raise money for military charities Combat Stress, the UK’s leading veterans’ mental health charity, and ABF the soldier’s charity.

The challenge, involves being handcuffed to a 3kg medicine ball for seven days, to act as a physical representation of the unseen burden of both civilian and military mental health issues. It’s hoped that the conversations the ball provokes will encourage people to discuss mental health issues and seek help if they need it.

On Monday 14 August (the week of the airshow), both the Red Arrows’ Officer Commanding, Wing Commander Adam Collins, and Senior Engineering Officer, Squadron Leader Chris Phipps, will officially take up their respective medicine balls, aptly and competitively named the ‘red’ and ‘blue’ balls but have already taken the overall challenge total (since its inception) over the £100,000 mark!

Their challenge will culminate at the Eastbourne Airshow, where Red 10 (Squadron Leader Graeme Muscat) will be talking about the challenge in the team’s display commentary. Both Wg Cdr Collins and Sqn Ldr Phipps will be present at the military village with their medicine ball in tow on one of the show’s four days, before concluding on the final day with an official ‘uncuffing’ and handover of the balls back to the charities.

Wg Cdr Collins, said: “I am delighted to be taking part in the medicine ball challenge, helping to promote Combat Stress and ABF and the amazing work they carry out.

“Awareness and attitudes towards mental health have changed for the better over recent years, but it’s vital that specialist treatment and support is available to those that need it and, more importantly, they feel that they can ask for it.

“Military personnel can be exposed to stress and pressure, sometimes in extreme scenarios which make them more susceptible to mental health difficulties – supporting these charities is a great way to helping those suffering to have access to the support they need”.

Sqn Ldr Phipps said: “I’m delighted the Red Arrows are partnering with this great cause – and privileged to be participating in this extremely worthwhile challenge to showcase the importance of specialist treatment and support for those with mental health problems.

“Having previously served in operational theatres, I’m familiar with the understandable strain and pressures colleagues can face in exceptional circumstances carrying out extraordinary, vital work. It is often the case that mental health issues may not be immediate apparent. We are all unique individuals and mental health impacts us all at different times in life and in different ways.

“The charities enhance care given to former service people and I hope this challenge will encourage even more individuals to understand this crucial work, its life-saving difference and contribute towards its continued support.”

Jeff Harrison, CEO at Combat Stress, said: “We are extremely grateful to the Red Arrows for taking on the medicine ball challenge, and driving conversations around mental health. It was also fantastic to see them already help take the challenge over the £100,000 mark.

“We are looking forward to greeting them at the airshow and hope their efforts will encourage more of the public to take on the challenge!”

To support the Red Arrows, visit: https://events.soldierscharity.org/fundraisers/redarrows