The Royal Air Force Aerial Erector School (AES) attempts a 737 Challenge

19th October 2011

A team of RAF instructors and climbers will attempt their very own 737 Challenge starting this Friday spending 7 days, 3 hours and 7 minutes climbing on the 360ft RAF Steingot Tower, whilst helping Richard raise funds for his 737 Challenge, which is raising funds in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The Aerial Erector School sees a host of serviceman and women who learn to climb on the Steingot Tower every year from the Royal Air Force, Army and Royal Navy.

A team of Royal Air Force climbers will be going all out to raise funds to help Richard towards his target of raising £1m in aid of Marie Curie, whilst climbing in honour of their colleague, friend and instructor Corporal Davey Jones who sadly passed away from stomach cancer just over a year ago.

Aerial Erector School instructor, Sergeant Lee Jordan stated; “Many people in the military have been following Richard’s 737 Challenge and have the upmost admiration and respect for what he has achieved and how his challenge will help the lives of many people with cancer”. 

He added; “We lost our good friend and colleague Corporal Davey Jones to stomach cancer.  He was a young lad with a wife and two young children and his passing left a massive void that can’t be filled.  He was also an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran and I know he would have been proud of what Richard has achieved.  That also goes for all the guys here who think what Richard has done for Marie Curie is fantastic.  We are proud to be helping Richard’s cause and also climbing in honour of Davey”.

The 7-day climb kicks off on Friday 21^st October at RAF Stenigot in Lincolnshire using four man teams with one climber always on the structure, 2 rescue climbers and one climber recovering from the previous climb. 

Sergeant Jordan added; “At night we will be bivving at the 200ft platform, increasing the degree of adventure and allowing us the opportunity to carry out a night climb. Richard is also going to come down on the final day to join in and talk about his challenge”.

It’s going to be an epic week for the RAF AES team, as advanced climbers they are able to do this without the same fatigue levels as the people they assess on courses, however a challenge of this proportion will push them to the absolute limits!

If you want to show your support for their challenge or follow their progress over the 7 days, you can follow them at their facebook group by clicking below.  You can also show your support and donate on their justgiving page below.

WHY NOT KICK START YOUR OWN CHALLENGE AND FUNDRAISE FOR THE 737 CHALLENGE?

Help Richard raise funds in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care and get fundraising! Visit our fundraising page here at 737challenge.com

Join the AES 737 Challenge Facebook group
Help AES raise funds for Richard's 737 Challenge, raising funds in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Get fundraising for the 737 Challenge