York M&S helps RAF mark centenary year in-store

To celebrate its long, shared history with the RAF, the Marks & Spencer store on Parliament Street is pledging £500,000 in support of the RAF100 Appeal.

From July 6-8, local RAF cadets will offer their bag-packing services to customers in exchange for a donation.

The cadets will also be selling limited edition RAF100 pins. 

Funds raised in-store will go towards inspiring the next generation of engineers, scientists and technology specialists through scholarships, training and university bursaries for air cadets and school pupils from underprivileged backgrounds.

It will also support the RAF's four major charities, RAFA, the RAF Benevolent Fund, the RAF Charitable Trust and the RAF Museum.
M&S’s connection with the RAF dates back to 1938 when Simon Marks, chairman and son of the store's founder, was instrumental in setting up what became the RAF Air Cadets.

By the end of the Second World War almost 100,000 cadets had joined up.

The York store became a central pillar of the community and a place of respite for servicemen during the war, providing teas for wounded soldiers every afternoon as well as hosting film shows for them.

It also hosted a party for 50 wounded servicemen at the Clifton Ballroom.
York store manager, Paul Campbell, said: "Hearing the stories of how our predecessors coped during the war is so inspiring.

"It really underlines how M&S has always been at the heart of the community here in York.

"We are proud to be partnering with the RAF to celebrate its centenary year and look forward to welcoming the RAF cadets into store to raise funds for a truly worthwhile cause."

As part of its partnership with the RAF, M&S has designed a limited edition men's leather flying jacket, the Marksman, which has been on sale since the end of June.

The jacket is named in recognition of the M&S colleagues who raised £5,000 in 1941 to fund a new spitfire, the Marksman.

All profits from its sale will go to the RAF100 Appeal.