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Farnborough International Airshow 2010, 19-25 July 2010
That old AWB wheel just keeps on spinning!
The Farnborough International Airshow is one of the world's
most iconic global aviation events. and Farnborough 2010 was no exception.
Thanks once again to the generosity of AWB’s principal supporter EADS, we were given the unique opportunity to take a prominent spot at the front of the EADS stand in Hall 4 for the weekend (24-25 July) during which the show is open to the general public. The location is second to none, attracting scores of visitors and being opposite the Rolls-Royce stand is an added bonus.
AWB’s famous "Wheel of Fortune” was once more in action – almost working non-stop from the moment our display was set up first thing in the morning! Amy Bear look-alikes can be won by a simple spin of the wheel and this simple device proves a tremendous hit with both young and old.
Indeed this year, so successful was Amy, that in many instances, bears were being bought as fast as others were being won! This enabled us to raise several hundreds of pounds and easily exceed last times’ total by a significant margin.
Throughout the day there were also opportunities to meet potential new members and supporters and explain the role of the charity and highlight its aims and achievements. But of course without the generosity and support of EADS, none of this would have been possible. Our grateful thanks go therefore to Edelweiss Alonso and her exhibition team for helping to make this such a successful fundraising event.
Special mention should of course also be made of AWB volunteer Mick Simpson, without whose selling skills, our final fundraising total would have been much less!
Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, 18 July 2010
VIP hospitality for our special guests!
EADS, our major supporter, once again generously invited AWB
and their guests as VIPs to this prestigious event. So this time 13 young
people and their carers and families from four Action For Children groups based
in Gloucestershire and Shropshire were our guests for a thrilling day of flying
displays and hospitality second to none!
Some of the children were from Stroud, The Meadows in Dudbridge and Kingfishers in Ebley, and others were from Shrewsbury Shared Care and Telford Shared Care.
The EADS hospitality suite at RIAT is elegant and stylish, with its own viewing area. This time, despite a miserable start, the weather took a turn for the better. Everyone was able to visit some of the static displays, take a sightseeing trip around part of the show in the EADS golf buggy, or simply relax in the viewing area outside – right next to the runway. A fantastic place to watch all the action!
After enjoying a magnificent three-course lunch, our guests headed outside and continued watching the flying displays. As always, among everyone’s favourites were the Avro Vulcan display by the Vulcan To The Sky Trust and of course The Red Arrows! In fact AWB’s cuddly ambassador Amy Bear was able to meet up again with Red 1, Ben Murphy and Red 7, David Montenegro before their display and remind them that she flew with the team at Farnborough two years ago!
AWB was also delighted to meet some old acquaintances at the show and in particular Brian Jones, an AWB patron - one of the pilots of Breitling Orbiter 3, the first hot-air balloon to fly around the world non-stop.
By the end of the day - and after being treated to more impressive displays and enjoying the occasional ice cream, our guests began to make their way home. It was clear from most of them that this had been memorable day out and an experience they will remember for a long time.
AWB would like to thank everyone involved at EADS and in particular, Bettina Nerb and Hannah Hall from EADS, Munich, for their time and generosity in making this event possible and such a success.AeroExpo UK - Wycombe Air Park, Berkshire 25 - 27 June 2010
AWB on show once again!
AWB continued to raise its profile by exhibiting once again at AeroExpo UK - the only major general aviation event in the UK aimed at aviation professionals, recreational pilots, and flying enthusiasts.
Of course our cuddly ambassador Amy 'Wonderful' Bear was there too and she continued to make new friends. A chance of winning an Amy Bear by spinning AWB's exciting ‘Wheel of Fortune’ was as always the highlight of the display. Many happy visitors spent their time - and money - helping us to raise money for the charity and to try and win an Amy, some with great success even on the first spin!
A number of important new contacts were made and AWB was also pleased to meet several old friends. Some companies and organisations discussed sponsorship opportunities and a number of private pilots and other aviation professionals and enthusiasts also indicated their interest in becoming members and/or volunteering for such activities as our Smiling Wings Days.
A big Thank You to all our guests who came to the stand and made the event such a memorable one. And a very special Thank You to AWB volunteer Mick Simpson who was a great help during the event.
Smiling Wings Day, Cranfield Airport, Cranfield, Bedfordshire - 5 May 2010
Flying fun and excitement!
Eight youngsters from Action for Children - Shortbreaks @ Adrian Road, Abbots Langley in Hertfordshire, plus carers and one parent were the guests of AWB for another Smiling Wings Day. The weather forecast had been indifferent and the morning dawned grey and somewhat chilly, but, thankfully, apart from a few drops in the middle of the afternoon, it stayed dry.
Our young guests were welcomed at the airfield’s Café Pacific where they had been well looked after by Duncan and his team. They were soon whisked away to meet Terry Akeroyd and his colleagues at TA Aviation who were waiting to introduce them to the aircraft which would be used for the day, a Cessna 177 Cardinal.
After a short talk and safety briefing given by Terry, it was time to start the fun. Each flight was planned to last about 30 minutes, and it was decided that one group would stay and wait for their turn whilst the other would go back to Café Pacific for lunch. The spread was delicious and plentiful (the fries being voted best ever!) and everyone enjoyed the feast.
The flying was a great success and two children, who were adamant they would never set foot in an aircraft, were finally persuaded to ‘give it a try’. In fact they liked it so much that they refused to leave the aircraft at the end of the trip and one grown-up - who will remain anonymous - declared that she would never be afraid of flying again!
At the end of the day, and to their delight, the young flyers were presented with their wings (an AWB ‘Young Pilot’ winged badge), an AWB flying certificate and a small Amy Bear.
Our sincere thanks go to Terry Akeroyd of TA Aviation who provided the pilots and light aircraft and for ensuring the day was so successful.Presentation to Cranfield University students - 5 May 2010
A big ‘Thank You’ again!
The Smiling Wings Day held at Cranfield Airport provided the ideal opportunity for the Trustees to present a framed ‘Thank You’ certificate to the students from Cranfield University’s Air Transport Department. The group had supported us so splendidly by raising the magnificent amount of £1019 at a function held in earlier in the year.
Trustees Adrian Waite and Annie Brand made the presentation on behalf of AWB just before the children were about to start their day of flying. The students were accompanied by Andy Foster, Senior Lecturer, Richard Moxon, Lecturer and Keith Mason, Reader.
The instigator of it all was Sylvain Gloux, who had been on work experience with Air France Cargo a few years ago and is now studying for his MA at Cranfield. AWB wishes him well and hopes he will stay in contact with AWB at the end of his studies.
(The Air Transport Department at Cranfield University comprises the postgraduate courses: MSc Air Transport Management and MSc Airport Planning & Management. The department also runs short courses throughout the year for industry professionals.)
Smiling Wings Day Special, Filton, Bristol - 17 April 2010
Airlines grounded but Aviation Without Borders still flies!
Despite grounded flights across Europe, almost 30 young people from the Bristol area soared high over Filton during a special Smiling Wings Day on Saturday 17 April. The young people and their families enjoyed a day of fun aviation-related activities, including a flight in a light aircraft, hosted by Aviation Without Borders (AWB). The event was funded by the Airbus Corporate Foundation.
This is the 14th Smiling Wings Day that AWB has organised. AWB trustee Adrian Waite said, ‘It’s fantastic these children are given a chance to fly in a small plane — something they never thought possible. They have overcome disadvantages in their lives, which may have made them think they could not do anything like this, and it is great to see them enjoying this amazing experience. There are a lot of good people out there helping to make this happen.”
After Jordan Hawkes' (19, from Knowle, Bristol) flight, during which she took in both Severn Bridges and Gloucestershire, she said: "It was amazing! I was a bit nervous to take the controls myself but I really enjoyed it, it was a great experience.".
Jamie Cockbill, 13, from Barnstaple, Devon, said: "It was a bit bumpy but it was fun. I've never been up in a light aircraft before. We could see the horse race track at Chepstow and the golf course."
Special thanks from AWB go to the following organisations for their help in making this Smiling Wings Day happen:
Air BP for assisting with the fuel; Airbus for running the fun aviation activities; BAE Systems for donating the use of its facilities including Filton Airfield; Bristol Aero Club for providing the aircraft and pilots; Aviation charities: BDFA (British Disabled Flying Association) and fly2help for helping organise the event and bringing along two dozen deserving guests from the Bristol area and providing them with exciting small aircraft and helicopter flights; Reach charity for also bringing some deserving guests and Sodexo for donating the catering.
Baltic Air Charter Association’s (BACA) annual spring luncheon raises £1760 for AWB – 13 April 2010
Aviation Without Borders chosen as BACA’s adopted charity for 2010
On 13 April 2010, BACA’s annual spring luncheon was held
within the imposing surroundings of Carpenters’ Hall on London Wall in the City
of London. AWB trustee Adrian Waite was one of the guests of honour, and gave a
five minute talk on the aims, objectives and work of Aviation Without Borders
and its latest activities to more than 175 BACA members and guests.
At the end of an excellent meal a raffle was held, for which BACA members had donated prizes including: a hot air balloon ride, a meal at Kempton Park Race Course and a pair of crystal wine glasses. As a result of this, the magnificent sum of £1760 was raised!
AWB would like to thank BACA’s chairman, members and all who contributed, for their incredible generosity and assures everyone that the money raised will be used to help with the continuing work of the charity.
The Baltic Air Charter Association (BACA) represents the
interests of commercial aviation companies particularly in the air charter
industries and markets. Membership includes air brokers, charter airlines,
airports, business aircraft operators, freight forwarders, consultants and
others.
AWB is privileged and honoured to have been chosen as BACA’s adopted charity for 2010.
AWB playing important role in assisting with air transfer of Haitian baby - 11 February 2010
The race against time for the badly-injured baby Landina to receive life-saving operation in UK
Aviation Without Borders is proud to have been able to
offer special help to NGOs and aid agencies involved in earthquake-stricken
Haiti, by assisting in the provision of a helicopter to transfer baby orphan
Landina Seignon from the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince to Santo Domingo in the
neighbouring Dominican Republic. There she will connect with an onward flight
to the UK for specialised medical treatment. Landina was being treated for
severe burns to her head when the earthquake struck three weeks ago.
Upon hearing news of Landina’s plight, AWB contacted its principal sponsor EADS to see if it could assist through EADS’ subsidiary Eurocopter who is providing helicopter support in Haiti. This support was willingly made available and put at the disposal of the agencies concerned. After liaising with the journalist Inigo Gilmore who has been reporting the story, AWB put him in contact with Jeremy Bretigniere who is coordinating the Eurocopter relief mission in Haiti so that on-the-spot decisions for Landina’s safe transfer could be made.
Aviation Without Borders was able to offer assistance to: Facing The World, the UK charity that offers surgery to children with facial disfigurements; and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) the independent humanitarian medical aid organisation. MSF volunteer, the British surgeon David Nott, has been responsible for Landina’s treatment together with Dr Shehan Hettiaratchy. Dr Nott and MSF have been working tirelessly to organise a transfer for three-month-old Landina.
It now remains for the necessary documentation to be obtained from the Haitian authorities.
Our thanks to Mail Online for permission to use the illustration. To read the full article . . . .
Channel 4 News is also covering the story, to read more . . .
AWB continues to provide valuable aid assistance for Haiti earthquake - 8 February 2010
News update
From the outset of the Haiti earthquake disaster, Aviation
Without Borders has been assisting charities and aid agencies with their different
missions and requirements. AWB was the first to be called to help the British
search and rescue team SARAID in the shipping of its vital equipment used in
searching for survivors.
AWB then shipped essential medical supplies from the UK on behalf of International Health Partners (IHP) to International Medical Corps (IMC) in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, for distribution in Haiti. So far this has amounted to approximately 30 tons with further loads scheduled for this week thanks to the tremendous support of Air France/KLM Skyteam and Heathrow Cargo Handling who are processing this material.
AWB has also, with the help of its German sister organisation Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen e.V. (LOG), based in Frankfurt, and that of Lufthansa Cargo at London Heathrow Airport, sent over 500kgs of medical goods on behalf of Chain of Hope for a charter flight organized by LOG.
In addition, with the help of Air France Cargo Manager
Florence Desert and Programme Organiser Sameer Obhrai of Air France/KLM
Skyteam, AWB has organized a full Air France 747-400F charter flight for the
international disaster relief organisation World Vision. This flight departed
on 8th February 2010 from Dubai arriving the next day in Miami, via Paris
Charles De Gaulle Airport.
AWB Trustee Adrian Waite, who was instrumental in overseeing the projects, said: ‘Without the generosity of one of our main corporate supporters, EADS, who has generously given some funding specifically for the Haiti Disaster Relief, as well as the unstinting support of the companies mentioned, Aviation Without Borders would not have been able to do much. This unique cooperation has enabled vital medical goods to reach their target speedily. AWB is proud to have been able to help.’
But, sponsorship and donations are still urgently needed for Aviation Without Borders to continue its essential work. An account has been set up to receive funds for this special work and any donations would be gratefully received. Without funding none of this would be possible.
Cranfield University students raise funds for Aviation Without Borders - 5 February 2010
Over £1,000 raised by the Air Transport Department!
At
a special aviation-themed party at the Cranfield Students Association (CSA) on
5 February 2010, the students of the Air Transport Department from Cranfield
University, raised over £1,000 for AWB.
The Students Association was redecorated with aircraft photographs and posters, while aviation videos were broadcast and the dance floor transformed into an aircraft cabin interior.
Students and staff came dressed as pilots and flight attendants and together performed a choreography inspired by the on-board safety procedures to launch the party. All guests who had ‘checked in’ on line were entered into a lottery with a chance of winning aviation-related gifts generously donated by the department’s staff and airline partners.
Most
importantly, to give extra wings to the project, the students partnered with
Aviation Without Borders, ran a charity auction of aviation items, again,
generously offered by the department’s staff and airlines partners.
The charity auction proved to be an outstanding success, exceeding all expectations, with the students raising more than £1,000 for Aviation Without Borders.
Grateful and sincere thanks from all at AWB go to the students and staff of The Air Transport Department at Cranfield University for their initiative and tremendous efforts in raising this magnificent sum – it is much appreciated.
(The Air Transport Department at Cranfield University comprises the postgraduate courses: MSc Air Transport Management and MSc Airport Planning & Management. The department also runs short courses throughout the year for industry professionals.)AWB assists in Haiti earthquake relief - January 2010
AWB to the rescue of SARAID
At 07.00 on 14 January 2010 Aviation Without Borders was contacted by Kris Early from SARAID to assist in the organising and airfreighting of vital search and rescue equipment to support its essential work in searching for survivors in disaster-stricken Haiti. (SARAID is a British charity dedicated to trying to save the lives of innocent victims of disaster.)
At very short notice AWB was able to help. With the support of Steve Burnett and his team from DGM (Dangerous Goods Management Ltd) based at Heston, Hounslow, along with Steve Davidson from Airspace-GSA for Delta Airlines, Manchester, as well as WFS (Worldwide Flight Services), AWB supervised the special packing of chainsaws, cutting equipment and generators. These were successfully packed and shipped, reaching their destination safely together with SARAID. Without this crucial equipment, search and rescue would be extremely difficult and time consuming. This shows how teamwork can make things happen!
AWB would like to thank sincerely everyone involved and, in particular, wishes the SARAID team well in its efforts in Haiti.
AWB continues to work closely with NGOs and other charities in providing logistic support where possible. AWB is also working with its sister organisation in Germany — Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen e.V. (LOG) — in piecing together an aircraft charter operation for the ongoing emergency relief.
Cardiff City Stadium, Heineken Cup 3rd Round, Cardiff Blues v Toulouse, 12 December 2009
Courageous collectors conquer the cold!
EADS, our main corporate supporter, is also principal sponsor of the Cardiff Blues and long term sponsor of the French club Stade Toulousain. AWB invited to become the Charity of the Match on the day and it proved to be a most successful event. Not only did the Blues win, but also our stalwart team of collectors managed to raise over £400!
Trustee Adrian Waite was also given the opportunity of meeting a number of invited corporate guests and to spread the word about the aims of AWB. Before the match, Adrian presented the captain of each team with an Amy Bear complete with her scarf bearing his team’s logo. A complimentary full page in the official match programme also enabled us to promote the charity’s activities to a wider audience.
AWB is most grateful to the members of staff at EADS who helped with the collection and in particular to the Cardiff Blues for allowing us to take advantage of this great opportunity.
The match, played before a crowd of about 10,500, resulted in an exciting 15-9 victory for the home team.
Smiling Wings Day 'Special', Bristol Airport - 17 November 2009
Local youngsters trip the light fantastic!
Nine young people from the children's charity, Action for Children, had an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience when they boarded a flight from Bristol Airport to experience the thrill of viewing the Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights).
The trip was especially exciting for 11-year-old Bradley from Speedwell in Bristol who had never flown before: "I really like aeroplanes but I didn't think I'd be going on one", he said. "I'm the first person in my family to have flown and I saw the Northern Lights out of my window and it was really cool. Nobody at school will believe this has happened to me!"
Shelagh Hillier from Action for Children said: "Wow! What a phenomenal time everyone had. We all managed to see the Northern Lights! Everyone was so excited about the trip - this really was a once in a life time experience for the young people we support. We are all really grateful to Aviation Without Borders and the Airbus Corporate Foundation for helping make this happen and providing an experience they will never forget."
The lucky travellers were of course joined on the trip by AWB's cuddly ambassador Amy 'Wonderful' Bear, who was on the flight deck throughout the flight.