Continuing our support for Aerobility

In 2011, NATS launched a trial ‘charity of the year’ initiative for ‘Aerobility’, which gives terminally ill and disabled people the chance to fly.

Our aim was to raise £100,000 to help them buy a specially adapted light aircraft so they could extend the joy of flying to even more people. After a year’s impressive fundraising by people across NATS, £155,000 was raised, far exceeding the initial target.

How Our Contribution Was Raised…

Our employee’s commitment and support for Aerobility across our organisation was remarkable. In 2011/ 2012 we saw many members of NATS getting involved in supporting the project, with people often going to extreme lengths to raise enough cash, under the banner of ‘do something BIG!’
Events took place across our sites including ‘The BIG Pull’, where NATS teams from across the country competed to be the fastest to pull a Second World War Harvard aircraft down the home straight on Goodwood’s famous racetrack, a gala dinner organised by Prospect, the Union for UK Air Traffic Controllers, and a wide variety of other events, from sponsored cycle rides, to sponsored swims.
It was an extraordinary year which saw employees from every corner of NATS inspired to do something amazing, in support of this incredible charity.

The Presentation

In October 2012, a brand new Tecnam aircraft was presented to Aerobility in front of invited guests and dignitaries at the charity’s headquarters at Blackbushe Airport.

Joined by Prospect Union representatives and NATS people, CEO Richard Deakin said: ‘I am incredibly proud of NATS fundraising. This brand new, specially modified aircraft that we’re handing over today is the crowning achievement of a year of non-stop fundraising which would not have been possible without the involvement of all of our people.’

While the presentation of the new aircraft marked the end of ‘all things BIG’, people at NATS quickly embarked on Aerobility’s next fund raising initiative – an attempt to enter the Guinness Book of Records by ‘flying’ around the world, non-stop for 10 days in a flight simulator.

It seems that this is just the beginning of our connection with the charity.

From Strength To Strength

Our relationship with Aerobility has gone from strength to strength since we embarked on this fundraising challenge back in 2011. Employees continue to fundraise for the charity, and business areas have provided support and expertise. In the last year:

  • Our Occupational Health & Safety team conducted a review of the health and safety measures in place, provided advice and support on safety procedures, risk assessments and identified ways the charity can provide the best service to the pilots
  • Our Marketing Communications team continued to support the charity with marketing and sponsorship activities
  • Our Facilities Management team provided advice and support on updating Aerobility’ s Headquarters, including guidance with the relocation of a simulator, and design support to improve the office infrastructure.
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