Organiser Mike Higgins said the fate of the popular event was hanging in the balance following the Economic Development Department’s decision to slash their annual grant to £40,000.
Jersey International Air Display – a not-for-profit company which has organised the free airshow for 23 years – therefore urgently needed to find £75,000 to allow the spectacle to go ahead on Thursday 14 September and Mr Higgins launched an urgent appeal for pledges.
Making a final call for help yesterday, Mr Higgins said he had been “very encouraged by the results of the appeal” and that the team was “very close to raising the required level of funds” to save the event, but still needed more £5,000 pledges to get it over the line.
This morning, he confirmed that the event had been rescued from the verge of cancellation – despite falling short of its overall target.
Pictured: Mike Higgins, organiser of the Jersey Air Display.
A total of 10 companies and individuals came forward with £5,000 each and the Economic Development Department increased their grant to the display by giving an additional £20,000.
“We are extremely grateful to the companies and individuals, who have come forward to support us and ensure that the island did not lose one of its most popular events,” Mr Higgins said.
“They have also ensured that we have not lost another visitor attraction and its important contribution to the Island economy. Without their support it would not be happening.”
He added: “At this point in time we cannot name all those who have pledged money but we will do so once we have received their consent to do so as we want to publicly thank each and every one of them. We and the Island owe them and our other sponsors an important debt of gratitude.”
Mr Higgins also paid tribute to former Chief Minister John Le Fondré, who he said had worked “tirelessly to help us raise this money”.
Among those due to feature in the display are the Red Arrows, the RAF Falcon Display Team and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Patrouille de France Display Team and a French Air Force A400 Atlas.
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