RACEGOERS took time out to salute military personnel and charities at Royal Ascot on Armed Forces Day.

Amidst the frocks and finery of Royal Ascot, the Trustees of the course marked the Friday of Royal Ascot as an unofficial Armed Forces Day.

For the fifth year running, up to 100 volunteers from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force collected donations on behalf of The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

There were also special ticket offers for military personnel.

Wing Commander Paul Hewson, Regional Director at the RAF Benevolent Fund said: “The Friday of Royal Ascot has once again been a spectacular day, marking the end of another terrific Armed Forces week. “It was great to see the genuine warmth and goodwill that the race going public has for the Armed Forces and we are extremely grateful to them for the very generous donations made to the three service charities.”

In the previous four years Ascot racegoers have generously donated more than £80,000 to the three charities.

The charities support military personnel, past and present, and their families in their times of need with a wide range of practical, emotional, and financial support.

Brigadier (Ret’d) Peter Walker OBE, Berkshire County Chairman ABF The Soldiers’ Charity said on behalf of the three charities: “We are so grateful to the Trustees of Ascot Racecourse and all the racegoers who have been so generous and welcoming today. “Our charities help the entire military family, from our oldest Second World War Veterans to those serving at home and abroad today, and we simply couldn’t do that without the overwhelming support from the public, as we saw once again today.”