Professor Brian Cox presents awards to motivated Lincoln students

Pupils at a Lincoln school who completed a programme focused on developing teamwork and leadership skills were presented with their certificates by celebrity physicist Professor Brian Cox.

The professor handed out awards to 30 students from the Priory Witham Academy who graduated from a scheme run by the Jon Egging Trust.

The students were all part of a Blue Skies youth engagement programme run by the trust in conjunction with BBMF RAF Coningsby, RAF Scampton, RAF Cranwell, RAF Waddington, RAF Wittering, and MOD North Luffenham.

The trust was set up in memory of Red Arrows pilot Jon Egging who died on August 20, 2011 whilst completing a display at the Bournemouth Air Festival.

Red Arrows’ pilots Squadron Leader David Montenegro and Flight Lieutenant Steve Morris were also in attendance to mark the occasion.

Brian Cox and Sqdn Leader David Montenegro (Red 1) presenting a graduation certificate to a Blue Skies student. Photo: Stuart Wilde

Professor Brian Cox said: “I am delighted to be a patron of the Jon Egging Trust, and I strongly support the amazing work the charity does to help young people move forward in their lives.

“The most important thing that the trust does is to show its students that there are possibilities out there.

“We are talking about young people who have low aspirations and low self-confidence – not through any fault of their own. £45 a day is all its costs to completely change their lives and their future.”

Brian Cox congratulating the Blue Skies students. Photo: Stuart Wilde

As well as Lincolnshire, the Blue Skies Programme is now established in Dorset, Norfolk, Yorkshire and Anglesey, with almost 200 students enrolled across the country.

The charity launched its Inspirational Outreach scheme in 2014 which will reach out to an additional 1000 young people in each region every year.

Dr Emma Egging, CEO of the Jon Egging Trust and wife of the pilot, said: “Inspiration is at the heart of everything the Jon Egging Trust does and we are hugely grateful for the support of our military partners and our patrons.

“With their help we really can show our young people that they too can reach for the stars.”