Air Branch reservists dig deep for Aiden

Members of the Royal Naval Reserve Air Branch dug deep into their pockets at their annual Ratings Mess dinner held at HMS Sultan,Gosportand added to the fund for a local boy called Aiden Farrell. 

 Every year a charity is chosen by members of the Air Branch to benefit from the generosity shown throughout the evening. This year, Chief Petty Officer Aircrewman Alfie Kitwood, whose civilian job means that he flies from Lee onSolentas part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Search and Rescue helicopter flight, suggested 'The Aiden Farrell' charity. 

Aiden has Cerebral Palsy and needs an operation at cost of £27,000 that will make his life pain free and allow him to walk unaided. "Adam's a local boy living close to the Base here at Gosport," said Alfie. "When I heard he needed funding for the life changing operation, I knew we could all help in a small way to make a big difference.” In all, the RNR Air Branch raised almost £600 for Aiden. 

Aiden's parents, Sara and Gavin, are well on their way to raising the full amount but still need another £16,000 to make it happen and various other departments within HMS Sultan have also had local fund-raisers to contribute to this very worthy cause. 

Air Branch Reservists CPO's Sandra Parkinson and Alfie Kitwood invited Aiden and his family onto HMS Sultan, the home of the Defence School of Marine Engineering (DSMarE) and presented him with a cheque for £600. Afterwards, Alfie took him on a tour around a Merlin Mk 1 helicopter; which is part of 764 Initial Training Squadron at the Royal Naval Air Engineering and Survival School (RNAESS). Aiden loved his afternoon with the aircraft and asked if he could come back again and bring his girl-friend Summer with him next time.