Thank you to 3 counties radio for your support.

Within Britain there are over 6 million full time carers, but the work of this forgotten army goes unpaid. Yasmin has been dedicated to gifting many lives with unconditional love and support. Looking after her stepdaughter who suffers from muscular dystrophy took up a lot of time and energy, but Yasmin’s support and commitment to care for those less fortunate did not stop there. In search for other children who have disabilities, with a vision to set up a centre which provides respite care. Yasmin launched Friends of Bright Eyes as a voluntary charity. With minimal funds it was very difficult to keep the charity operating. A wife, mother and full time carer, Yasmin never looked back, always went that extra mile to help and 14 years later the charity which Yasmin started at home, now accommodates for over 50 children a week.

The hugely popular Freedom Wings days are designed to give youngsters with disabilities what is very often their first experience of flight in a light aircraft. Just to see the expressions on the children’s faces is evidence enough of the enjoyment and satisfaction they get from this new experience and their pleasure also guarantees a happy day for the whole family. We try, when possible, to ensure that brothers and sisters and parents get the opportunity to fly together at these events when their involvement is instrumental in siblings also having this exciting opportunity, Freedom is definitely “key”.

Courtesy of ITV Anglia

Twenty youngsters from The Forces Children’s Trust (FCT) will had the chance of a lifetime to experience the freedom of flight, when they attend the “Freedom Wings” day.

From our recent Freedom Wings day with the Forces Children’s Trust on July 23rd 2011 from Cranfield Airport, EGTC.

Monies raised will go towards our Freedom Wings project. Freedom Wings is a wonderful opportunity to introduce disadvantaged or disabled youngsters to the freedom experienced in the air. A day in a light aircraft, safely taking control of the plane for a short time is a life-changing experience and enables young people to feel that they can reach for the skies and achieve virtually anything. Flying is one of the few activities where disabled people can participate to the same degree as an able-bodied person.

Twenty youngsters from The Forces Children’s Trust (FCT) will have the chance of a lifetime to experience the freedom of flight, in the hope that it may expand their horizons when they attend the “Freedom Wings” day. FCT is a charity devoted to helping children whose father or mother has died, or has been seriously injured, whilst serving as a member of the British Armed Forces.  FCT is an agile charity providing support and positive experiences to children who have suffered a great loss. By participating in events like Theatre trips holidays with other children in a similar situation they can create their own way of moving forward.

Together we intend to show that anyone can reach for the skies, and achieve virtually anything, sometimes with only the very smallest amount of support. The pilots ‘one off’ flight could be as life changing for them as someone who flies every week and ends up with their Private Pilots Licence. Flight Lieutenant Owen Varley, a Puma helicopter pilot based at RAF Benson, and Trustee of FCT will be attending the Freedom Wings day.

FITA founder Gautam Lewis, who uses crutches after contracting polio as a child in India, organises the Freedom Wing day to show people that disability is not a barrier to achievement.

He said: “I thought maybe I should do something positive about supporting disabled people and those with complicated backgrounds, help them learn new skills and push them to a new level of confidence so that they can have opportunities.

“It’s trying to show what we can do regardless of adversity.”

Flying is one of the few activities where the uplifting experience rebuilds confidence and restores self-esteem, and thus empowers people to explore their potential by extending their personal boundaries. In the air, we all fly at the same speed; nobody is disadvantaged. The young people will look around a light aircraft and airport hangars, learn how aeroplanes work and then take to the skies for 30 minutes with experienced instructors.

The Freedom Wings pilots will get to take control of the plane and, in doing so, their lives can change. They are doing something that they never thought they could possibly do;  fly a plane. Then they start to imagine what else they
could achieve.

Freedom Wings days are great fun. We challenge, we educate, we empower. We use flying to raise people’s sights, expand their horizons and fulfill their potential. The day culminates in each Freedom Wings pilot receiving a personal record of their flight, together with a special log book provided by Pooleys and signed certificates as a memento of a very unique day.

FITA is a not-for-profit organisation based at Cranfield Airport and works in partnership with Cranfield Flying School (Flight Training Organisation, FTO 170), which is committed to opening horizons for people with disabilities so that they can fly higher socially, physically and professionally. For more information about both organisations

please visit www.freedomintheair.org / www.forceschildrenstrust.org
The day will be organised as a fun day for all and it is hoped to see many smiles.

To watch videos from the summer 2010 Freedom Wings days with over 150 youngsters please visit: www.freedomintheair.org/take-a-look/

On 28th MAY 2011 Freedom in the Air (FITA)  hosted the first ‘Introduction to Aviation’ day beginning from Cranfield Airport in Bedfordshire, UK (EGTC), for the summer 2011 flying season. The day is named, for obvious reasons, Freedom Wings day.

20 youngsters with a mixture of disabilities from Kangaroos had the chance of a lifetime to experience the freedom of flight, in the hope that it may expand their horizons when they attended the “Freedom Wings” day. Flying is one of the few activities where disabled people can participate to the same degree as an able-bodied person. The uplifting experience rebuilds confidence and restores self-esteem, and thus empowers people to explore their potential by extending their personal boundaries. In the air, we all fly at the same speed; nobody is disadvantaged or disabled. The young people looked around light aircrafts, learnt how aeroplanes work and then took to the skies for 30 minutes with experienced instructors. If they wished, the young people could’ve taken control of the plane and fly it themselves.

Kangaroos was established by a group of parents in 1993 to run out of school activities in Mid Sussex for children with severe leaning disabilities. There were no activities in the area suitable for special needs children to attend and they believed that their children needed and deserved activities that would be designed to cater for their very special requirements. Kangaroos run a range of recreational and leisure activities in Mid Sussex for children and young people from 6 to 30. All their members have learning disabilities and many have additional behavioural, physical or sensory problems, as well as a number with Autism and Epilepsy.

Freedom Wings day at Cranfield is part of a new project for Kangaroos which they have called “Challenges” and the aim is to provide a range of challenging physical experiences for young people aged from 13-25 with learning disabilities. These will be new experiences for the young people that will challenge them physically and emotionally, encouraging them to test themselves together with their peers in new environments, whilst being supported by staff and volunteers.

The young people have very little access to activities outside the home or school environment and can become incredibly isolated. Most lack the opportunity to take part in activities that will enable them to build the confidence and self-esteem necessary to both recognise and develop their abilities and broaden their horizons for later life. It is incredibly important that these young people are helped as much as possible to lead an independent life and they need the encouragement and opportunity to gain the required skills and competences to reach their full potential in every way.

Together we intend to show that anyone with a disability or from complicated backgrounds can reach for the skies, and achieve virtually anything, sometimes with only the very smallest amount of support. The pilots ‘one off’ flight could be as life changing for them as someone who flies every week and ends up with their Private Pilots Licence.

FITA founder Gautam Lewis, who uses crutches after contracting polio as a child in India, organises the Freedom Wing day to show people that disability is not a barrier to achievement. He said: “I thought maybe I should do something positive about supporting disabled people, help them learn new skills and push them to a new level of confidence so that they can have opportunities.”

“It’s trying to show what we can do regardless of disability.”

Freedom Wings days are great fun. We challenge, we educate, we empower. We use flying to raise people’s sights, expand their horizons and fulfill their potential.

The day was organised as a fun day for all and we saw see many smiling faces. FITA is very grateful to Pooleys and Backstreet Merchandise for providing the goody bags for the young pilots.

On 11 June 2011, Freedom in the Air (FITA) is holding its first skydive Freedom Freefall day. Supporters from across the country will join us at Peterborough Sibson airfield drop zone to take part in this amazing challenge and raise money for FITA.

Monies raised will go towards our Freedom Wings project. Freedom Wings is a wonderful opportunity to introduce disadvantaged or disabled youngsters to the freedom experienced in the air. A day in a light aircraft, safely taking control of the plane for a short time is a life-changing experience and enables young people to feel that they can reach for the skies and achieve virtually anything. Flying is one of the few activities where disabled people can participate to the same degree as an able-bodied person. The exhilarating experience rebuilds confidence and restores self-esteem. This, in turn, empowers people to explore their potential by extending their personal boundaries. In the air, we all fly at the same speed; nobody is disadvantaged or disabled.

FITA is very proud to be associated with The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows . The Red Arrows have generously offered a VIP Day for 2 (unfortunately they cannot fly the winners) for FITA to raffle during the Freedom Freefall fundraiser. The winners will get to spend time with the pilots, look around the airfield, learn about how the team develop their aerobatic displays and have a special day to remember for forever. This is an incredible prize and we cannot thank the Red Arrows enough for their support. Runner up prize draw prizes include a VIP Weekend backstage camping pass for two at V-Festival 2011. The final prize is a 30 mins ride in a aerobatic aeroplane doing loops and barrel rolls.

We have planned several Freedom Wings days for the 2011 summer flying season with organisations such as, The Forces Children’s Trust (FCT) – supporting children that have lost a parent whilst serving with the Armed Forces, Raiders Wheelchair basketball team, Northampton County Council Disability Services to name a few. The Freedom Freefall fundraiser will help us raise enough funds to be able to support 300 young people with disabilities the chance to have a flying lessons.

How to take part

Application Details

Contact us for a skydiving pack by filling or call 020 8740 8806, leaving your name, postal address, telephone number. If you’re ready to sign up, you can register on UK Parachuting website.

Date and Location

The skydive will take place on 11 June 2011, at Peterborough Sibson Airfield.

Cost

The minimum sponsorship amount is £300. While jump costs at Peterborough Sibson Airfield are approximately £170, and will be paid by entrants on the day of the jump.

Conditions

Participants must be 16 and above, those under 18 need parental consent. A medical form will also need to be completed.  Those under the age of 18 will need the medical form signed by a parent or guardian; those aged 40 and over will need it signed by their doctor.

Deadline

The deadline for booking is 20 April 2011

Skydive throughout the year

If you can’t make it for our Skydive day, you can also take part in the challenge at a location closer to you. UK Parachuting have several jump sites around the country and you can choose to jump throughout the year. All you need to do to take up this opportunity is raise the minimum sponsorship of £300. Contact us for more information.

Why skydive for FITA?

• You will be raising money for FITA’s vital work in promoting and creating opportunities for people with disabilities in Aviation.
• Help us cover costs of developing, manufacturing and distributing hand controls for pilots with lower limb disabilities.
• You will receive information about how your fundraising helps young disabled people through our Freedom Wings Project
• You will be supported by a dedicated member of FITA Team in the build up to your jump.
• You will receive a fundraising pack, with loads of ideas so help you reach your fundraising target.
• You will receive a free FITA T-shirt.

How your fundraising will help?

FITA works tirelessly to promote aviation for people with disabilities. Our practical programmes help introduce thos with disabilities to the wonder of flight and the boundless possibilities it offers. Your support is greatly appreciated. The sum you raise it will make a real difference.

Raise £90 and you could buy a flying experience flight for someone with a disability or from the underserved community

Raise £1,400 and you could sponsor a mini scholarship that would enable a disabled person to have 10 hrs of flying lessons – where they could get to fly solo if they pass 2 exams

Visit our partners UK Parachuting, who are co-organising the event.