This is the moment a Battle of Britain veteran shook hands with a ‘charming’ six-year-old who donated his birthday money to the RAF Benevolent Fund.
Stan Hartill, 96, welcomed six-year-old Henry Conway and his parents to his Bournemouth home to personally thank him for his generous donation.
The former sergeant appears in the charity’s latest TV advert titled Show Your Pride, in which he is interviewed while wearing an array of medals.
Little Henry was instantly moved by the footage as he watched with his parents Leo and Elizabeth, and said ‘Daddy I think we should give them some money.’
His dad then went online to make the donation for the youngster, who lives in Redditch, as part of his birthday present when he turned six.
To give Henry an extra special thanks, Stan invited the family to his home where the pair chatted about his wartime service and shared stories about school.
‘He’s a very charming little boy,” said Stan.
‘He’s a very intelligent little boy and it’s been quite a pleasure meeting him today.
‘I was deeply moved to hear about Henry’s donation after seeing me on the TV, so to be able to thank him personally is simply wonderful!’
Henry said: ‘It was really fun to meet the man off the telly. He told me about the war and the Spitfires. I’d like to be a hero like Stan when I’m older.’
Stan, who joined the Royal Air Force as an airframe fitter when he was just 19 years old, was supported by the charity when he was struggling to pay the maintenance charges on his flat.
The financial support meant he could continue to spend his retirement in his own home.
Most recently, the Fund assisted him with accessing benefits through our Advice and Advocacy service.
Stan was able to obtain a £3,000 increase to his annual income, along with 94 weeks of backdated benefits, which resulted in one off payment of more than £5,700.
Double amputee Stuart Robinson and widow Jacqui Thompson, whose husband was killed on deployment in Afghanistan, also feature in the moving advert.
The RAF Benevolent Fund supports current and former members of the RAF, their partners and dependants providing financial, practical and emotional support.
Last year, the Fund spent £17.6m supporting more than 65,000 members of the RAF Family.
Carla Stimson, Direct Marketing Fundraiser at the charity, said: ‘We were delighted to hear about Henry’s wonderful contribution to the RAF Benevolent Fund in response to our television advert.
‘Donations like Henry’s make our work possible to help members of the RAF Family who are going through a difficult time and, at six years old, Henry may well be our youngest supporter!
‘Bringing the pair together was very moving and a great way to end the year. On behalf of everyone at the RAF Benevolent Fund, thank you both for supporting us.’