About Us Our Properties News Resource Hub Contact Us NEED SUPPORT SPORTS LOTTERY FUNDRAISING RAF Leeming takes the win in the RAF Around the World in 80 Days Challenge Home News RAF Leeming takes the win in the RAF Around the World in 80 Days Challenge Back in June RAF Leeming threw down the gauntlet by challenging the other Stations and units to take them on in a race ‘Around the World in 80 Days’. The virtual event kicked off on 27 June and saw 25 teams race to collectively complete 40,000km by running, walking, cycling, rowing, swimming, crawling, or any other (self-powered) method they saw fit. Following in some famous footsteps, the challenge copied Phileas Fogg’s Around the World in 80 Days route and finished on 15th September 2021, marking Battle of Britain Day. After 18 months of lockdowns and restrictions placed on sport during the pandemic, the challenge provided an excellent opportunity for personnel to exercise with a team spirit, encourage each other to do more and in turn improve their mental health and wellbeing. By the end of the first day, RAF Leeming had taken a strong lead with their team of 37 having already reached Paris. Over the coming weeks Leeming were determined not to be beaten, growing their team to 106 by the end of the challenge and claiming victory as the only team to successfully make it ‘around the world’! A special mention also goes to RAF Coningsby and RAF Benson who took 2nd and 3rd place respectively. As well as a competitive Station v Station event, the virtual race was also set up as a fundraiser with a portion of the monies raised from each entry going directly to supporting the work of our charity so that we can continue to safeguard the health and wellbeing of serving personnel through sport and physical activities. With more than 400 participants, we are delighted that the challenge was so well received, raising a total of £6,350. RAF Central Fund CEO, Ross Perriam said: “I’d like to congratulate Gp Capt Blythe Crawford and his team in their incredible achievement during the RAF Around the World in 80 Days Challenge. Blythe laid down the gauntlet early on and even shared his team’s nutritional tips (Yorkshire tea and Wensleydale cheese) in a bid to get the other stations actively engaged and this appears to have done the trick. The 100+ personnel taking part from Leeming have inspired an additional 300 to take part from 23 stations across the UK in a physical challenge designed to cover over 40,000 km. As well as congratulating the Leeming team, I would like to thank everyone who has taken part in the challenge. The funds raised are being donated to the RAF Central Fund so that additional provisions for sports and physical activity can be made for the benefit of serving RAF personnel – which will allow more opportunity for Stations to start training for next year’s rematch!” Latest Posts Atlantic Flyers Challenge Atlantic Flyers Challenge 12th November 2021 Supporting RAF medical personnel through bespoke on demand yoga classes Supporting RAF medical personnel through bespoke on demand yoga classes 2nd November 2021 Bowled over to support RAF cricket in Italy Bowled over to support RAF cricket in Italy 25th October 2021 Make a Donation Now Support the RAF Central Fund You make our work possible. Your donation can change lives. MAKE A DONATION NOW Share this article Support the RAF Central Fund and win £10,000 Cash Your chance to win from thousands of £s worth of prizes every week whilst supporting your RAF charity and enabling us to fund sport and physical activities across the RAF. PLAY NOW See Stories Max's Story: Taking on a mammoth cycle ride There is more in all of us, we just need to want it, find it and use it. READ THIS STORY Plane pull challengers at RAF Coningsby Eight teams of six people took on the challenge of pulling the BBMF Dakota, which weighs over 17,000 lbs, over a distance of 92m – that’s the sum of the wingspans of each of the five aircraft types in service with the BBMF. READ THIS STORY Contact Us Registered Office Royal Air Force Central Fund, Hurricane Building, HQ Air Command, RAF High Wycombe, Bucks HP14 4UE Principal Office RAF Central Fund Danesfield, New Lock Lane, Henley Road, Medmenham SL7 2EY About Us Contact Us Need Support? Sports Lottery Fundraising About Our Properties News Resource Hub Follow Us Funding Regulator Be Gamble Aware Sporting Equals The Royal Air Force Central Fund is a company registered in England and Wales 8555984. Charity registered in England and Wales 1152560, Charity registered in Scotland SC044299. The RAF Sports Lottery is licensed and regulated in Great Britain by the Gambling Commission under account number 5199. Privacy & Cookies External Link Icon About this tool External Link Icon Cookie Control