Freedom in the Air makes the experience of flying more accessible for young people with disabilities who would otherwise not have had the opportunity. We organise “Freedom Wings” days for young people to introduce them to piloting a small aircraft. Such days can help empower young people to see themselves as in control and reaching for the skies. Each of the days offer trial flights on light aircraft for 20 disabled young people aged 12 – 25.

Freedom in the Air’s fundraising event for 2011 is a group Sky dive. To sponsor and meet the individual members click on their names below :

Genna McKay / Sarah Ashton / Serena / Sienna Marseilles / Simon Reed / Sophie Thalmessinger /  Rusty Bradshaw / Carl Roberton /  Damien Cerri /  Alex Best /  Matthew Gibson /  Simon Brooke /  Dylan Robert / Daisy Roberts / Rohini Majumdar / Tara Majumdar / Becky Hastings /  Simona Cursola /  Karolina Nowacka / Neville Roberts / Chiara Prosperi / John Glover / John Mullan Stone /

ALL SPONSORS & DONORS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY ENTERED INTO THE PRIZE DRAWS.

This is a great way to encourage donations. For every £5 they donate – they get 1 ticket for the prize draw – so the more they donate, the greater their chances of winning one of the prizes

A VIP DAY OUT FOR 2 PEOPLE WITH THE RAF RED ARROWS

A RIDE IN A AEROBATICS PLANE FOR 30 MINS DOING LOOPS AND BARREL ROLLS

VIP BACKSTAGE CAMPING FOR 2 AT V-FESTIVAL CHELSMFORD

The flights are 30 minutes in duration with experienced instructors. If they wish, the young people can take control of the plane and fly it themselves. Nobody is forced to do this but most take the opportunity. It is safe because the instructors have dual and are highly trained in teaching people to fly. The fire safety department of Cranfield Airport also participate and the participants get to learn how aircraft and airports work and all about safety in the air.

Here are all the Freefallers:

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Date: 11th June 2011  / Location: UK Parachuting (Sibson Airfield) /  Distance: 13,000 feet skydive

50  young people with a wide range of disabilities will benefit directly from this fundraiser. In addition, we make this a day out for the family and for the local community organisation or school to which the young person or family belongs. So everyone joins in and benefits. It is a great day out for disabled young people who do something unique. Exhilarating and show what they can achieve to themselves and to their friends and family.  To pilot an aircraft even once is a huge achievement for anyone and for a person with a disability it is doubly empowering.  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.

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.

Here is a sample of what people have said to us about why this project is important and needed:

“You leave the wheelchair on the ground, no restrictions and you carry on – its confidence, its freedom, its fantastic. I did not want to land the plane and just fly off into the sunset.”

Janette Marsland, 18 years old – Freedom Wings Pilot With the PHAB Club, July 2010.

“Freedom in the Air allows people with disabilities to push back boundaries and experience something that they could never have imagined. The freedom of flight has really transformed people’s thoughts and opinions and changed attitudes towards those with a disability”

Mick Dhillon, Chief Executive, The Disability Resource Centre.

The young participants, came from a variety of organisations (such as Barnardos, Kids Co, the Disability Resource Centre, the Young Carers Association, The Variety Club and so on).

“This was a once in a lifetime experience and something the young carers will treasure for the rest of their lives.”

Jane Lightfoot, Manager Spurgeons Young Carers Charity.

Freedom Wings trailer:

Freedom Wings photo Gallery:

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Visit our Skydive Partner – UK Parachuting.