October 9, 2015 9.11 am This story is over 101 months old

Red Arrows pilots to brave the Scottish highlands for charity

Charity walk: Red Arrows pilots will complete a 96-mile charity walk in their native Scotland before returning to start their gruelling winter training schedule.
Left to Right: Flight Lieutenant Stew Campbell, Wing Commander Martin Higgins, Flight Lieutenant Doug Smith, Flight Lieutenant Joe Hourston

Red Arrows pilots will complete a 96-mile charity walk in their native Scotland before returning to start their gruelling winter training schedule.

Flight Lieutenants Stew Campbell and Joe Hourston, who have flown with the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team for the last two years, will set off on the West Highland Way on October 13.

Joining them will be Wing Commander Martin Higgins, a former Red Arrows pilot and now the Commanding Officer of the Squadron, and Flight Lieutenant Doug Smith who is the Flight Planning Officer.

Money raised will go to the RAF Benevolent Fund and Jon Egging Trust, founded in memory of Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, who died while displaying as Red 4 with the Red Arrows in 2011.

Flight Lieutenant Campbell, who was Red 4 in the 2015 display season, said: “Since joining the team I have wanted to organise a charity event in support of good causes close to the heart of the Red Arrows team.

“Being able to combine my love of Scotland and its scenery with this endeavour is fantastic; I just hope the weather is kind and the midges stay away.”

The route begins at Milngavie, and follows the shores of Loch Lomond, passing Ben Lomond, before moving to the head of Glencoe, climbing the Devil’s Staircase, and finishing at Gordon Square in Fort William four days later on October 17.

Waving the group off at the start will be RAF Benevolent Fund Scotland and members of the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron (UGSAS).

Air cadets from 1730 Squadron, led by Flight Lieutentant Walter Liddell, will be waiting to accompany them along the last few miles as they arrive in Fort William.

Twitter users can follow updates throughout the walk by following @RAFRed4.

Donations can still be made for the charity walk online.