REACHING the grand age of 95 is something to celebrate and undoubtedly a reason for lots of presents.

But one veteran doesn’t want gifts – he is simply asking his party guests to raise funds for charity instead.

Greswold Cressey’s birthday is on September 24.

To mark the occasion he is hosting a tea party at his local on Saturday, September 5, as part of the RAF Benevolent Fund’s Great British Sunday Lunch.

He is expecting around 30 guests, including his family.

He has asked for donations to the charity’s fundraiser in lieu of birthday gifts.

Mr Cressey, who goes by the name Chris, wanted to support the Fund in tribute to his comrades during the Second World War and, in particular, for the help that the RAF Benevolent Fund gave to a friend.

He said: “My friend, who I met when he was a navigator on Lancasters, spent his life doing charity work for the church but fell on hard times and ended up with no support when they retired.

“Being in South Africa, he had no pension like we do here.

“They were getting desperate so I suggested they contact the RAF Benevolent Fund in Cape Town and the Fund came up trumps and have supported them ever since. “Sadly my friend died two years ago and the Fund is still looking after his wife financially and in other ways.

“She thinks the charity is marvellous and I do too.

“During the war, I spent most of my time flying Ansons.

“They were the work horses of the RAF and ideal for training navigators.

“I spent some time on South Rhodesia and was there, travelling south to Cape Town, when I heard the news of VE Day.

“I later returned to the UK and became an RAF fire tender.”

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, when ‘The Few’ took to the skies and defended the UK from the attacking Luftwaffe.

To mark the anniversary, the RAF Benevolent Fund, the RAF’s leading welfare charity, is launching the Great British Sunday Lunch – a new national fundraising event aimed at getting families and friends back around the dinner table.

For more information visit rafbf.org.uk/gbsl