Icom to support Flight of Hope
Radio communications company, Icom (UK) Ltd are pleased to announce that they will be supporting Flight of Hope, the charity which aims to raise money for Cancer Charities. In July 2005 two pilots will journey around the UK in a helicopter providing flights for people who are suffering with and those who are in remission from Cancer.
In parallel with this they are organising various initiatives to enable the general public to make donations towards the charity fund. With the need to communicate with a support vehicle from the air, Icom will be supplying this charity with two IC-A22E aviation hand held transceivers for use during the event.
Simon Drakeley and Graham Jones are Airline Captains with BMI (formerly British Midland) flying Airbus A320/321 aircraft, and between them, have in excess of 20,000 hours flying time. Their friendship goes back many years and both worked for Dan Air flying BAC 1-11's. They joined BMI after the demise of their former airline flying Boeing 737's on which they both gained their promotion to Captain some three years later. Not only can Simon and Graham fly fixed wing aircraft they are also qualified helicopter pilots.In 1987 Simon lost his Mother, Marion and in 1993 Graham his Father, Derek to Cancer. These tragic events inspired them to start a Foundation in memory of their Parents.
Flight Of Hope was founded, not only to raise funding but equally to raise the public's awareness for Cancer Research UK.
Using their extensive experience in aviation they will fly a helicopter around the UK providing flights for people who have and those who are in remission from Cancer. This will not only make for an exciting day out for those receiving a ride, but due to the dynamic nature of this event, attract the interest of the media as well. They have already enlisted the help of friends, other pilots and companies and are always looking for more interested parties.
The helicopter they will use during their voyage will be a five seater, Bell 206 Jet- Ranger with the use of a back-up Robinson R44 should there be any technical problems. The route will begin at Shoreham, West Sussex travelling in an anti-clockwise direction around the UK. They hope to reach as far North as Inverness, Northern Ireland back down the Western side visiting Wales and the West Country and finally back to their base at Shoreham. All the while they will be in contact with local radio, television and press with competitions, auctions and more.
Simon said, ’we are really glad that we have the help of Icom for this project. It is critical that we maintain good communications throughout and the loan of this excellent radio equipment will help us to do that.’For more details about Flight of Hope, please go to http://www.flightofhope.co.uk
Icom UK Marketing -
marketing@icomuk.co.uk
22/03/2004
