SCHOLARS WIN THEIR WINGS
THE ANNUAL presentation ceremony for Flying Scholarships for the Disabled took place at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire.
Twenty-four scholars, their families and guests attended the ceremony in the presence of HRH Prince Feisal of Jordan and Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, Chief of the Air Staff.
Alan Smith, chairman of the Trustees of FSD and Deputy Chairman of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, said: "I'm delighted that we've been able to award 15 scholarships this year, and the first four scholars – Luke Delahunty, Valerie Fisher, Sarah Gregory and Dan Roynick – are currently training in South Africa."
Certificates were presented to the 2009 scholars by HRH Prince Feisal, and flying suits by ACM Sir Glenn Torpy. These went to Nathan Doidge, Frank Lees, Sy King, Simon Crane, Kevin Kevane, John Hayes, Roy Griffiths, Sarah Jenkins, Ian Johnson, Nick Poole, Karen Sutherland, Richard Davenport, Paul Soper, Steve Hopwood, Ben Owen Jones, Alex Krol, Jayne McCormick, Mat Bishop, Caroline Begg, Ian Wilson, Dean Elzein, Emrys Harries, Debbie Grice and Stephen Clifton.
In addition, two special awards were presented. The George Stewart Memorial Trophy, presented to the scholar who's achieved the most as a result of being awarded a scholarship, went to Stephen Clifton who, despite ill-health, showed exceptional dedication in achieving his UK NPPL in six weeks, and completing his first solo after just five hours of flight training.
Stephen, 55, said: "I am quite overcome: winning this award was very unexpected. Flying means a huge amount to me: I have wanted to fly since I was a child and when I was finally at an age when I could think about it, it was a case of choosing between learning to fly or driving a HGV, and I had to choose the more practical one at the time.
"The scholarship has been a wonderful experience, I have always enjoyed driving, and now I can enjoy piloting too."
And the Wings around the World Trophy, for the woman who's achieved much from the flight training experience, was awarded to Debbie Grice, a determined individual who achieved her PPL after continuing her training at her own expense.
Debbie, 35, said: "The scholarship was reward enough, so getting the trophy was just wonderful.
"Flying has changed everything: my family and my friends have seen a transformation in me, in my positive outlook, my confidence, and the friends I have made since starting flying. I am hooked on it, and I like to try and find any reason I can to get into the air."
Following the presentations, Prince Feisal received a cheque for £3,380 from Pauline Vahey and Veronica Tanner, Vice Chair and Treasurer respectively of the British Women Pilots' Association. The money was raised from donations in memory of one of their members Lucy Rogers.
And Flying Scholarships for the Disabled in turn presented an award to Capt Keith Bayliss of British Airways' High Flight in recognition of the £216,000 which the airline's charity has raised over the past eight years in support of FSD.
• Flying Scholarships for the Disabled was inaugurated in 1983, in memory of Gp Capt Sir Douglas Bader, and is dedicated to helping disabled people discover their true potential through learning to fly.
• The Royal International Air Tattoo is staged annually in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust which, in turn, awards grants in support of the RAF family, including serving personnel and Air Cadets. Since it was established in January 2005, the Trustees have awarded over £895,000 to a wide range of projects and initiatives.
