June 3, 2014 10.57 am This story is over 125 months old

Jon Egging charity cyclists thank Lincoln sponsors

400 in 4: RAF Pilots, Metropolitan Police officers and other fundraisers stopped at RAF Scampton to thank Lincoln supporters of their bike ride for charity.
Photo: Jon Egging Trust

RAF Pilots, Metropolitan Police officers and other fundraisers made a stop at RAF Scampton to thank Lincoln supporters of their 400-mile bike ride for charity.

Some 15 people are nearing completion of their 400 in 4 charity ride from new Scotland Yard to RAF Valley in Wales, in aid of the Jon Egging Trust, set up for Red Arrows pilot Jon Egging who died in 2011.

The riders made their stop at RAF Scampton on Monday, June 3 – the third day of the challenge.

In total, the team have raised around £10,500 to help the Jon Egging Trust support young people on its Blue Skies Programmes.

Their target is £44,444, and anyone wishing to make a donation can do so via the Just Giving page.

The trust was set up in memory of Jon Egging (33) after he died during a display at the Bournemouth Air Festival.

It is hoped that the Blue Skies Programmes will help thousands more young people every year and offer opportunities building teamwork, trust, communication and self-belief.

On reaching RAF Valley, the cyclists will be met at IV Squadron by Dr Emma Egging, wife of Jon Egging and co-founder of the trust, together with students from Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi (Holyhead High School) who have just completed a nine-session Blue Skies Programme.

Dr Emma Egging said: “I am delighted that RAF Valley and the Metropolitan Police have organised this ride in aid of the Jon Egging Trust.

“I have been able to meet up with the team in both Marham and Lincoln en route and what they are doing for the Trust is fantastic.

“I’m really looking forward to being at the finish line too with the young people who have benefited so much from the Blue Skies North Wales programme, working in partnership with RAF Valley.

“I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored the cyclists, helping us to achieve our aim of supporting 1000 young people a year by 2020.”

Flight Lieutenant Ellis Williams, who has helped design and run the North Wales Blue Skies programme, added: “Having successfully completed the first Blue Skies programme in North Wales this year, RAF Valley is already working hard to make next year’s even better.

“This cycle challenge will be a tough few days for all of us, both Met Police and RAF alike, but it will be worth it for such a great cause.”