Each Squadron is supported financially by a mixture of public funds, for specified activities such as flying, and non-public funds, for the provision of equipment and all additional activities such as adventure training. The purpose of a Civilian Committee (CivCom) is to raise and manage the non-public funds and provide support for the Squadron and its Commanding Officer. Each Civilian Committee is a charity and committee members are Trustees, responsible for the charitable assets. Historically, Civilian Committees have not been required to register with the Charity Commission provided they have been ‘excepted’ by regulations made under a Royal Warrant dated 5 February 1941. 863 (Thurston) Squadron was ‘excepted’ by Order 1822/82, made by the Charity Commission on 4 October 1982

The Squadron has undertaken a range of fundraising activities including bag packing (Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose and Asda) car parking (Stonham Barns, Ickworth, House and Blackthorpe Barn), a stall at the Christmas lights switch-on and an online auction. We also applied for and received a grant for the purchase of sports clothing.

The current committee were elected for a 12 month period at the Squadron’s AGM in November:

Dave Lockyear – Chairman
Martyn Smale - Treasurer
Amanda Anastasi - Secretary
Jamie Gwatkin
Clare Jacobs
Jo Lockyear
Dean Masters
Steve Ward
Dan Welch
Mandy Welch
Tom Welch