"You've just got to go and do it...you never know what you might find"

Sunday 15 August 2021

The Helping Wings bursary is back this year, after being postponed due to covid 19.

Helping Wings is a charity giving people with disabilities, and other disadvantages the opportunity to fly. They are now looking for applicants after being able to relaunch their flying bursary after the corona virus pandemic.

The award, worth £2,000, has been sponsored by Ports of Jersey. It includes lessons being taught by Synergy Flight Training based at the Jersey Aero Club.

Claire, Helping Wings’ first bursary winner said: " Everyone was so nice and so welcoming. They were really interested in why i had applied and what i was hoping to get out of the experience, it was a really inclusive process."

“I definitely wouldn’t have learnt these skills if I hadn’t applied for the bursary. I saw this opportunity and I thought it sounds great and a really fantastic idea.

"I’m not sure if I hadn’t seen this bursary that I would have started flying, and it’s really pushed me outside of my comfort zone to go and do something really exciting and really new to me.

"You've just got to go and do it. You never know what you might find, I was really pushed outside of my comfort zone and I've gained so much confidence from doing this. I think if you are ever thinking about doing this, do it because you wont regret it." 

Pictured: Claire at the Aero Club: " Its a great feeling, so nice to see the island the way you do in a plane."

Eveline Hawkin, Chair or Helping Wings, added: “When people return from their flying experience the pleasure and boost to their confidence is clear for all to see.

"We are really excited to be able to give this opportunity to other islanders.”  

All applicants must be over 16-years-old. Anyone interested in applying for the Helping Wings bursary can download an application here or email.