The Royal Air Force Aerial Erector School raise over £6000!

3rd November 2011

Last Friday saw a team of RAF instructors and climbers complete their very own 737 Challenge and raise over £6000 for Richard Parks’ 737 Challenge, which is raising funds in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The RAF Aerial Erector School instructors and climbers spent 7 days, 3 hours and 7 minutes climbing on the 360ft RAF Stenigot Tower managing to climb the tower over 300 times, totalling over 110,000 ft of ascent.

Richard Parks joined them for the final climb of the tower, which was also marked with a stunning flypast from a RAF Eurofighter Typhoon, organised by Wing Commander Richard Wells and Wing Commander Dicky Patounas, and a spectacular aerobatic display from the Officer Commanding Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Squadron Leader Ian Smith flying a Chipmunk.

Richard stated; “To climb the tower with all the guys for their final climb was just amazing.  The commitment that everyone from the Royal Air Force showed in helping me raise funds in aid of Marie Curie was just mind blowing.  The Typhoon flypast was just absolutely next level and at one point we were looking down at the Chipmunk from the tower it was so close, to see the pilots waving and performing aerobatics right in front of us was just incredible”.

The AES instructors were also climbing in honour of their colleague and friend, instructor Corporal Davey Jones who sadly passed away from stomach cancer just over a year ago.  His wife, Sarah Jones was thrilled to see so many people supporting Richard’s challenge and Marie Curie; “I wasn’t sure what the whole climb was all about at first, but news travels fast and when I found out what Richard had achieved and how much effort all the guys have put in to climbing in Davey’s honour it was quite overwhelming”, said Sarah.  She added; “Marie Curie is a charity close to our hearts, they were a lifeline to Davey and the family and it’s brilliant that they guys are keeping his memory alive and raising funds for Marie Curie”.

Sergeant Lee Jordan, of the AES, who organised the fundraising event stated; “It was great to have Richard down to RAF Stenigot and join us on the final climb.  The guys have worked incredibly hard all week with someone on the tower at all times, 24/7 and even sleeping on the tower in all kinds of weather”.  He added; “We have had an overwhelming amount of support from all the friends and families of all the guys involved but also from the local community, with people stopping in with cakes, cash and cheques, it’s been amazing”.

Sergeant Alistair McAllister, also of the AES, managed the most amount of ascents climbing the 360ft Stenigot Tower an incredible 37 times! Corporal Robert Davies who climbed in some atrocious weather added; “There were some hairy moments at night, I clipped myself on to everything as the wind got up to about 60/70 knots one night, there was wind, rain, everything thrown at us with the wind pushing you sideways as you climbed and I thought we might lose the tent at one point.  It was certainly hard work but it has been great fun and the camaraderie has been brilliant”.

Following the final climb, Richard attended RAF Digby and delivered a talk on his 737 Challenge before a cheque was presented to him for £3,477.  The RAF fundraisers then raised yet more funds with an auction where extreme clothing manufacturer, RAB, donated some fantastic clothing prizes and the famous Woodhall Spa bakery, also donated gifts and allowed a donation bucket to be present in their shop throughout the event.  The auction raised an extra £2,265 and more donations followed, meaning everyone from RAF Digby and the AES School raised an astonishing £6,113.10 in total.

Finally Richard stated; “I am truly grateful for not only the guys incredible efforts and hard work in raising a massive amount of money in such a short space of time, which will make a significant difference to the lives of people with cancer, but for all of the guys for making me part of such a special experience.  I had an awesome day spending time with an amazing bunch of people and was thrilled I was able to share my challenge to give something back for their inspirational fundraising.  It was also an honour to speak to Corporal Davey Jones’ wife Sarah and learn more about the Welshman and hear how Marie Curie made such an impact on their lives.  It was such an inspirational day on many levels and one I won’t forget in a hurry”.