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Text and Images by, Red Arrows
Video by, cazzyjane
The pilots from the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows and 4 of the Fighter Pilots from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight took part in a sponsored scooter ride across the entire length of mainland UK in support of a number of charities.
In their BAE Systems Hawk aircraft the Red Arrows pilots would cover the distance in a little over an hour but the riders will travel on Vespa 125S scooters, taking 4 days to complete the 1000 mile journey at the end of the 2010 Display Season.
They made it from Land’s End to John O’Groats in the 4 days that they planned, arriving in JOG at 1700 on Sunday 3 October and greeted by a crowd of about 100 cheering people.
The funds raised were divided equally between the five charities listed below. For more information and to learn how you can help, click on the links below.
Help for Heroes (H4H) was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry after a profoundly moving visit to Selly Oak Hospital in the summer of 2007. Bryn and Emma met some extraordinarily brave young people who had been badly wounded and they just wanted to do something to help.
The RAF Association is dedicated to supporting serving and former RAF personnel and their families. Whether it’s an injured airman fighting to get back onto his feet, a young daughter missing her parent away on overseas operations or a WWII veteran needing a shoulder to lean on, they are there to help.
fly2help is a fast growing aviation charity operating in the UK set up by a team of passionate aviators who are committed to helping others enjoy the inspiration and life enhancing privileges that being in the air can provide. 70,000 disabled children and young people don’t have a wheelchair appropriate to their needs.
That’s where Whizz-Kidz comes in. By providing them with vital mobility equipment they help to transform their lives. And with training to help them get the most out of their equipment, support to develop life skills, and opportunities to meet and have fun – they help them to be independent at home, at school and at play. To be just like any other kids.
The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund provide practical, financial and – in some cases – emotional support to all members of the RAF family, from childhood through to old age. They help with issues from childcare and relationship difficulties to injury and disability, and from financial hardship and debt to illness and bereavement.
The journey was an amazing experience with some incredible scenery to take in, albeit through rather rain-soaked visors for the most part!
For more information visit:
www.sites.google.com/site/redslejog
The Red Arrows are renowned throughout the world as ambassadors for both the Royal Air Force and the United Kingdom. Since the Team was officially formed in 1965, the Red Arrows have completed over 4,000 displays in 53 countries. www.raf.mod.uk/reds
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