New furniture, toys and teddy bears have been purchased for two children’s hospital wards in Lincoln after fundraising by Red Arrows personnel.
Almost £2,200 was raised by the RAF Waddington-based display team’s air and ground crews in aid of the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity.
Much of the cash was generated through a sports and fitness challenge carried out by several members of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, who recently visited the wards to meet staff, children and parents.
Chief Technician Ben Pearson, one of the Red Arrows’ senior mechanical engineers, said: “We’ve developed a wonderful bond with the two children’s wards in Lincoln over recent years and it’s been extremely rewarding, and humbling, to once again visit the hospital and see how money from the fundraising is going to such a good cause.”
The Red Arrows personnel tackled 1,000 hours of sports and fitness activities to raise the majority of the money for the children’s hospital wards.
This was carried out during the team’s spring, pre-season, overseas training.
While away in Croatia and Greece, personnel collectively contributed towards the 1,000-hour challenge by running, swimming, cycling and completing gym-based exercise.
The target time is equivalent to the number of hours all Red Arrows aircraft flew during the five-week training period, known as Springhawk.
More than £1,660 raised has gone towards providing toys and arts and craft materials for children at Lincoln County Hospital’s Safari and Rainforest wards.
The cash has also helped pay for day chairs and beds, which will allow parents to stay overnight at the hospital with their children.
A second fundraising effort made £515. Supported by the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) charity, this money paid for 50 teddy bears for children.
Ch Tech Pearson said: “Sport and fitness is a key part of serving in any RAF unit but knowing your efforts are helping people at the children’s wards is a brilliant additional motivator.”
