Red Arrows engineers and support staff have begun a charity challenge inspired by the team’s diamond display season and in aid of children’s hospital wards.
The personnel will run, swim or cycle the equivalent of 60 miles a day across the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team’s six-week overseas pre-season training, known as Exercise Springhawk.
The Red Arrows are celebrating 60 seasons of displays in 2024.
Money raised by the endeavour will support children’s hospital wards through the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity.
Chief Technician Ben Pearson, one of the Red Arrows’ senior mechanical engineers, said: “This latest, diamond season-inspired challenge, continues a great association with the children’s hospital wards.
In recent years, we’ve taken the opportunity during Exercise Springhawk to raise thousands of pounds while also maintaining our health and well-being during the overseas training.
“As service personnel, we have a commitment to our fitness levels and the challenge is a great way to achieve this as well as supporting a very worthy cause.”
Training for the 2024 season is taking place first in Croatia before moving to Greece and is expected to conclude towards the end of May, ready for the first public display dates.
The locations allow the team to make full-use of better weather conditions and perfect and polish the new aerobatic show.
Team members are contributing in the daily fitness activities by running, swimming and cycling.
Their goal is to raise money for Rainforest and Safari children’s wards in Lincoln – close to the Red Arrows’ home base of RAF Waddington.
Ch Tech Pearson said: “Several of the team were humbled to visit the wards before Christmas and saw, first-hand, the brilliant work of the staff there and the difference fundraising can make.”
People can show their support and make a donation through sponsorship by visiting this Just Giving page.
