RAF flying around the London Marathon for SSAFA

27 February 2023

RAF Police Officer, Danielle (Danni) Oliver, based in Bedfordshire, has entered the London Marathon in April to raise funds for SSAFA. She is running in memory of her childhood friend, Senior Aircraftman Tom Pattison, who died in a motorbike crash in 2016.

Danni said: “Tom was one of my best friends. We wanted to join up together after A-levels, Tom did, but I didn’t as I pursued other passions. Speaking to Tom’s Commanding Officer and friends at his funeral made me realise what it meant to be in the Armed Forces. The ethos, the friendships and the sense of belonging, along with the adventure was something I wanted from a career too. It was at that point I made my decision to join up. Running the marathon in memory of Tom allows me to do something positive to  show my gratitude to SSAFA for the support they gave to his family and colleagues at such a difficult time.”

Danni was working with horses as a Head Groom on an international show jumping yard when she found out about Tom’s death,

Danni said: “I was driving the lorry back from a show jumping tour in the South of France. I couldn’t believe it at first. It was a devastating moment.”

Danni, who grew up in Frome, Somerset, where Tom’s family still live, chose to run for SSAFA because she has seen the great work it does for service people and their families.

Danni said: “Being a current serving RAF Police officer I see, first-hand, the support given to our personnel. A lot of victims I speak to have been helped by someone from SSAFA. I have worked alongside SSAFA while doing community policing and seen their hard work, dedication and their above and beyond approach to welfare. I currently work for digital forensics, and am often exposed to difficult and harrowing content. Knowing that SSAFA is there to support us if we need it is very comforting.”

While Danni is enjoying the training, she is struggling with the fundraising aspect. SSAFA runners must raise a total of £2500 to cover their entry costs and raise money for the charity.

Danni said: “I have a little team of marathon runners at work so we challenge each other and help with morale. The training is a lot easier than the fundraising. With the cost of living crisis everyone is short of extra money, but we have got some interesting ways to raise funds and hopefully I’ll get there in the end.”