RAF Sergeant Wazeeha Laher spoke to pupils at two local schools, Madani School and Crown Hills Community College, her former school, as part of the UK-wide RAF100 celebrations.
Having joined the RAF in 1998, Sgt. Laher spoke to the current students about the extraordinary experiences she’s enjoyed over the years, as well as discussing her experience of being a Muslim woman in the RAF and commenting on how well she believes Muslim and British values fit together.
The RAF100 celebrations mark 100 years of Service with events, activities and other initiatives running nationwide from April to the end of September 2018. The RAF100 Baton Relay is one of those events, taking the campaign to communities in every region of the UK, carried by 20 different RAF sports associations, serving RAF personnel, RAF Air Cadets and veterans.
Sergeant Wazeeha Laher said: “I am truly honoured to be involved in the RAF100 celebrations today. I never imagined I’d be returning to my old school as someone pupils could look up to and I hope that some students have been inspired to consider life in the RAF. Since joining the RAF 20 years ago, I’ve never looked back. It’s provided me with incredible training and development opportunities, both personally and professionally, and I’m hugely honoured and proud to be part of the RAF family in its centenary year.”
Corporal Matthew Jeffrey said: “In our 100th year we want to showcase the vital role the RAF continues to play in defending the British people and protecting our nation’s interests.Launched on April 1, the celebrations are a fitting recognition and thank you to the exceptional dedication, spirit and achievements of our men and women. Wazeeha is part of this success and we are delighted that she has taken time out to speak to the students today. The British public is more diverse than ever, therefore it is vital that our force demonstrates this. The greatest legacy of RAF100 will be its ability to inspire a whole new generation, hopefully events like today will add to this.”
Doug Keast, Assistant head, Crown Hills Community College said: “It was great to have Wazeeha come in to her old school to inspire the next generation. We are working hard with students on our values of aspiration, commitment and success and this goes to the heart of it. The students were really engaged and enjoyed the opportunity to hear from Wazeeha and the RAF.”
