CEO takes to the skies in last of ten epic challenges
Youth charity CEO, Dr Emma Egging OBE, will embark on her final JET10 challenge on 19th May, taking to the Northamptonshire skies in a classic two-seat Spitfire with pilot Richard Grace from Ultimate Warbirds. The flight is the culmination of thirteen months of endeavour for Emma who has taken on ten epic challenges since April 2021 to shine a spotlight on the work of the Jon Egging Trust (JET) as part of the charity’s tenth anniversary commemorations.
JET supports vulnerable young people to build confidence and aspiration and was founded by Emma in the name of her late husband, Red Arrows pilot Flt Lt Jon Egging.
“So much of what the Jon Egging Trust does is linked to aviation and the inspirational people and opportunities that can be accessed through this world and the STEM environment, so it feels particularly fitting to have the chance to take to the skies for my final challenge,” says Emma. “Everything I’ve taken on as part of my JET10 challenges, from my ultramarathon in Lincolnshire back in April 2021 to my 4.5-hour caving adventure in Yorkshire in October, has been about shining a spotlight on our work while encouraging myself to step out of my comfort zone; something we support our young people to do through our Blue Skies programmes. I feel incredibly privileged to be flying in such an iconic aircraft as my final challenge, and the trip will give me a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come in ten years – from our first ten students in Lincolnshire in 2012, to 32,000 young people across the UK now in 2022. The flight will be made more special by the fact I’m being joined by two of our brilliant JET graduates, Bethany and Nathan. They were both enrolled onto Blue Skies when they were in their early teens when they were struggling at school, but with the help of JET they have gone on to achieve fantastic things and are now youth ambassadors for the charity, helping others to follow in their footsteps.”
Bethan and Nathan will be joined by two VIP JET supporters who will fly in formation with Emma throughout the challenge in four Extra 300 aircraft piloted by The Blades Aerobatic Team. Blades pilot James McMillan – himself a former Red Arrows pilot – says that the team are delighted to be supporting Emma in her final JET10 event.
“It will be a huge privilege to accompany Emma on her final JET10 challenge,” says James. “As a member of the Red Arrows in 2012, I witnessed the inception of JET and have seen what an incredible difference the charity makes to young people’s lives. As a friend of Jon’s, I know how passionate he was about inspiring young people to be more than they think their circumstances in life will allow, and he would be incredibly proud of what JET have achieved so far.”
Emma’s JET10 challenges have so far raised more than £75,000 for the trust, but Emma says the need for their work – and for further funding – is growing. “We estimate that there are at least half a million young people across the UK in need of the sort of support JET offers,” says Emma. “Following the global pandemic we now have a waiting list of school wanting to enrol students across the UK, but in order to give these students the chance of a better future, additional funding is essential.” To donate to JET in support of Emma’s final challenge, please visit https://fundraising@joneggingtrust.org.uk/JET10
EMMA’S JET10 EVENTS
- Grantham Canal 33-mile ultramarathon (April 18th 2021)
- Paddleboarding half-marathon – 13 miles. River Witham, Lincs (June 17th 2021)
- JET10 Virtual Relay (July 10th 2021)
- Open water swim: 2.5 miles along the length of Buttermere in the Lake District, Cumbria (July 17th 2021)
- Edale Skyline Challenge – 20mile, 10hr climb in the Peak District. (Aug 25th 2021)
- Great North Run (12th Sept 2021)
- JETRide, Lincs – 100-mile cycle (26th Sept 2021)
- Virtual London Marathon (3rd Oct 2021)
- Caving in Britain’s most complex cave system – Ease Gill (Oct 23rd 2021)
- JET 10 Grand Finale: Spitfire formation trip with The Blades (May 19th 2022)
ENDS
