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In his first 500 mile push Sean Allerton (2011 FSDP Scholar) raised a magnificent £1,700 for our charity. He's about to start his second 500 mile push and you can read all about it on http//push500.com where you can also donate on line.

Sean on the start line again!

From Sunday 24 March to Wednesday 27 March, and in atrocious weather conditions, the Final Selection Board met 19 potential candidates at RAF Cranwell to determine this year's scholars. There should have been 24 candidates but unfortunately 3 went sick and 2 couldn't make it because of bad weather. These 5 will be invited back to the Final Selection Board next year.

After careful consideration the Board decided that scholarships should be awarded to the following 9 people:

Barry Harvey; Claire Hilton; Michael Holden; Kieran Jones; Lee Noon; Leanne Piccirillo; Charl Piennar; Audrey Terry and Jeff Winder.

Our congratulations to these nine candidates and our commiserations to the other ten.

Applicants, former scholars and selection panel members of the 2013 selection board held in March at RAF Cranwell.

At a Trustee's meeting last Friday it was decided to award 9 scholarships this year. 

Five of these will be for 3 weeks training with light aircraft involving 20 flying hours and associated ground school; and the remaining four for 4 weeks training with Microlights involving 25 flying hours with supporting ground school.

Scholars will be chosen from this year's successful applicants attending the Final Selection Board at Cranwell at the end of March.
 

Ex-scholar Pauline Gallagher is organising The Freedom of Flight Relay Challenge to raise much needed funds for FSDP and Aerobility.

The aim of the challenge is to land at an aerodrome in each county in the UK, with each leg being flown by a disabled pilot or one under instruction. The challenge will raise awareness of disabled flying in the UK and will raise funds to support those using the power of flight to increase confidence and self-esteem.

http://www.freedom-of-flight.co.uk

Martine Wright who won a Flying Scholarship in 2006 received the BBC Helen Rollason award at the Sports Personality of the Year awards last Sunday. After learning to fly, Martine took up sitting volleyball and was part of Team GB who competed in the Paralympics.

The award is given for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity – Martine lost both her legs in the London bombings in July 2005. Congratulations Martine from all at FSDP.

FSDP Pilots fly a Boeing 737 simulator around the world

....... and in the process raised over £2,100 for the Charity.

Every leg was flown by an ex FSDP scholar or Trustee and as each one strapped themselves into the UFLY737 simulator, their right hand clamped to the thrust levers, left hand on the control column, they were ready for take off. Once 'airborne' they were able to take in the stunning scenery whilst managing their air speed, maintaining altitude and watching out for other traffic.

The simulator they 'flew' is based around the Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft - all rather different from a Warrior and a fantastic experience!

Back row left to right - Ben Bennett, Mark Taglietti (simulator owner), Edwin Brenninkmeyer, Alec Walker and Al Rosser
Front row left to right - Mary Doyle, Caroline Begg, Pedro Vivado and Susie Dunbar.

After a long brave fight against cancer Janine sadly died last Saturday at the age 36.

Janine was a 2004 scholar and the following year was awarded the Wings Around the World Salver; later she went on to achieve her NPPL. In a thumbnail sketch of herself Janine wrote ‘Gaining a scholarship has not only given me the opportunity to realise a lifelong dream but also the insight that I should never let my disability hinder my plans and hopes for the future’.

Janine made many friends at FSDP all of whom will miss her greatly.

Janine at the 2005 Presentation Ceremony.

After nine years with FSD/FSDP Sue Whitby is retiring at the end of this year. She has been the backbone of the Charity, responsible for its administration and the smooth running of the 110 scholarships that have been awarded during her time in office. Many thanks Sue - we will miss you.

Sue’s successor, Julie Bull, is no stranger to Douglas Bader House. She joined RAFCTE (RAFBFE as it was then) in 1999 and was appointed their Marketing Manager in 2000 and eight years later RIAT’s Exhibition and Showground Manager. Julie will work alongside Sue from 1 November and we wish her well with her appointment of General Manager FSDP.

Julie with Sue

Compared to the previous day’s atrocious weather Sunday 8 July was relatively calm and dry and everything went according to plan in our marquee where relatives and friends of scholars gathered to see the awards presentation.

Our Patron HRH Prince Faisal of Jordan and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton presented, respectively, certificates and flying jackets to our nine 2012 scholars: Mary Doyle; Ray Francis; Zan Marseilles; Alan Robinson; Steve Robinson; Lorraine Saupe; Mark Tomlinson; Pedro Vivado and Sylvia Wheeler.

Because this time last year 2011 scholars Dave Cooper and Helen Saxon-Jones were at Purdue University’s Flying School in Indiana they were unable to attend last years Presentation Ceremony, so this year they were presented with their ‘wings’ as well as their certificates and flying jackets.

‘Wings’ were also presented by His Royal Highness to 2011 scholars Sean Allerton; Della Brookman; Dave Conway; Matt Hill; Dan Walker and Sue Whitfield;

The George Stewart Trophy was awarded to Sean Allerton in the presence of Nigel Addington-Smith, a trustee of the George Stewart Memorial, and the Wings Around the World Salver was awarded twice!

First to last year’s winner Barbara Towler (who also belatedly received her wings because at the time of 2011 RIAT she was in hospital with a bad break in her arm) and to this year’s winner Sue Whitfield.

Scholars who received their certificates and ‘wings’ with HRH Prince Faisal and ACM Sir Stephen Dalton.

FSDP 2011 Scholar Sean Allerton has set himself the challenge of pushing himself, unaided, in his wheelchair for 500 miles.He is doing this for a number of charities, including FSDP, so please give him all the support you can. You can read all about 'Push 500' at http://push500.com where you can also donate to his marathon online.

2011 FSDP scholar Sean Allerton (second left) setting off on his marathon 500 mile wheelchair Push on Monday 14 May at RAF Church Fenton, accompanied by Adam Douglas (third left) and Craig Reid (first left) and Charlie Reid (fourth left), the well-known Scottish band, The Proclaimers.