TEL LEAVES VIPS FLOATING ON AIR

A woman who bid £17,500 for a VIP package to the Royal International Air Tattoo in a special BBC Radio Two auction last November enjoyed a surprise treat recently – courtesy of Sir Terry Wogan.

The veteran broadcaster, who hosts the BBC Children in Need fundraising appeal each year, invited Virginia Halliwell and her son James to watch him broadcast his breakfast show.

Whilst at the studios, Virginia and James also met Sir Terry’s colleagues, newsreader John Marsh and travel reporter Lynn Bowles as well as fellow Radio Two DJ Ken Bruce.

In the afternoon, Virginia and James enjoyed a private tour of World War Two Fighter Command HQ at RAF Uxbridge in the company of BBC Radio Two broadcaster and ‘Voice of the Balls’ Alan Dedicoat.

Virginia and James, who had flown into the Air Tattoo in July aboard the RAF’s historic Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota, then enjoyed lunch in the Officers’ Mess before returning home to Cheshire.

The VIP auction package was the fourth to be offered by the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, organisers of the Royal International Air Tattoo, and has brought to £92,500 the amount the Air Tattoo has raised for the children’s charity since 2005.