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Dreams Come True as Aviation Fans Enjoy Flight With a Spitfire and Raise Money for Charity
Two aviation fans fulfilled a lifelong dream when they took to the skies with one of history's most iconic aircraft - courtesy of fly2help.
Walter Sutherland and John Morton were among 5,000 people who entered a text lottery organised by the charity, with the chance of flying in formation with a Spitfire up for grabs.
The prize also included a simulated aerial dogfight in two Extra 300 aircraft and a private display by the RV8tors aerobatic display team, whose aircraft are emblazoned with the fly2help logo.
Walter and John were drawn as the two lucky winners and enjoyed the experience at Cotswold Airport on Sunday 25 September.
Money from the lottery will help provide Air Smiles events for people with life-limiting and chronic illnesses, families struggling to live with bereavement and disability, isolation or financial deprivation, as well as people who have suffered extreme neglect and abuse.
Driving instructor Walter, from nearby Cirencester, said: "I've had flying lessons in the past so have always had an interest in aviation but this was just amazing. It was a real dream come true and helped me fulfil a boyhood dream. Thinking back to when the Spitfire flew in earnest and then to experience flying alongside it all these years later was incredible."
Lab technician John, from Holbury, near Southampton, said his wife had entered the lottery but had allowed him to take the prize due to his love of aviation. He said: "We heard the lottery over the tannoy at the Bournemouth Airshow and wanted to enter because it was a fantastic prize and the money was going to charity. After finding out I'd won, I hardly slept because I was so excited. I feel so privileged to have seen an aerial Spitfire at such close range. It's framed in my mind. I'm sure I'll never experience anything like that again."
Rolls-Royce Chief Test Pilot Phill O'Dell piloted the Spitfire, while fly2help Chief Executive Officer Chris Hadlow and Ultimate High's Mark Grigg took the two prize winners up in the Extra 300s.
The lottery raised a total of £4,000 for the charity.
Chris said: "We're extremely grateful to everyone who entered, as all the money raised will go towards our Air Smiles events, the beneficiary days we run. It was great to see both Walter and John get so much enjoyment out of it. We'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported us and we are delighted that the two winners enjoyed their experience so much."