A 102-year-old Second World War hero who flew the Hatfield-designed Mosquito bomber, has completed an epic walk to raise money for an RAF charity.
Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell has raised more than £3,800 for the RAF Benevolent Fund - which provides financial, emotional, and practical assistance to serving and retired RAF personnel and their families - with his three-day effort.
On day one, he walked from the Churchill College Cambridge to the American Military Cemetery in Madingley, accompanied by Randolph Churchill, Winston Churchill’s great-grandson.
On day two, he walked to RAF Wyton, where he underwent his conversion training on Mosquito Bombers, followed by a trek to RAF Downham Market, Bexwell Church and the VCs Memorial on day three.
"I may be 102 years old, but I want to do my bit and raise money for these amazing charities," he said.
"I’m glad to be doing something that can help – quite frankly at my age, I’m glad to be doing anything.
READ MORE: Inside the 'impossible' project to return the de Havilland Mosquito to UK skies
"The RAF Benevolent Fund does the most amazing job in supporting members of the RAF family though thick and thin, providing practical, emotional and financial support whenever it is needed.
"I would hugely appreciate and encourage any donations."
Born in Royal Tunbridge Wells in 1921, Colin joined the RAF towards the end of 1940, and completed in his training in America before entering the war in December 1941.
Flying the de Havilland Mosquito bomber, he carried out 50 bombing raids over Germany throughout the Second World War, including 13 over Berlin.
The Mosquito was designed and built by the de Havilland Aircraft Company in Hatfield, and was nicknamed the 'Wooden Wonder', in reference to it's wooden construction.
One of the most important aircraft of the conflict, the Mossie was used in a number of roles, including precision bombing attacks, carrying out famous raids on Berlin, Oslo, Eindhoven, Copenhagen and Amiens Prison.
More than 7,700 Mosquito's were built by de Havilland, with plenty of examples surviving in museums across the world, and although there are no airworthy examples in the UK, efforts are being made to return an aircraft to the sky.
To donate to Colin and the RAF Benevolent Fund, www.justgiving.com/page/colin-bell-1692447983693?utm_term=KP6rW3WPN
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