Culdrose gliding club benefits from donation
HMS Seahawk Gliding Club, based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose has benefited to the tune of £300, thanks to a charitable donation from the “MARS Milk Fund”.
The generous gift from the Chocolate Bar Manufacturer is part of a wider initiative encouraging people to participate in active sports more often; weather trying something for the first time or keeping alive some favourite sport or hobby. RNAS Culdrose’s Seahawk Gliding Club has been going since 1966 and has trained naval personnel from the Base and civilians from the local community to experience the joys and thrills of gliding. The club currently has over 45 members and aims to take flyers out of their comfort zone in a fun and safe environment. The £300 has already been ear-marked for a good cause.
“The money will go towards training up more instructors”, said Commander Christopher Bryning, Seahawk Club member and gliding instructor himself. “They are vital in providing support and ultimately ensuring the safety whilst airborne. In order to attract new members we need to train another two instructors, which is expensive. With a donation like this we can now look to get some of our current members up to instructor level.”
Seahawk is one of three naval gliding clubs in the UK, offering RNAS Culdrose personnel the chance to learn a new skill, taking to the skies over the breathtaking Cornish countryside. Military personnel receive a free first flight and having been towed to 2000 feet with their instructor can appreciate the superb views that can stretch to Plymouth, Lundy Island and the Isles of Scilly.
The “MARS Milk Fund” was set up to help individuals, clubs and groups to try something new or simply spend more time playing their favourite sport or hobby. It has been running since April and will end in early October 2013. Every week the fund gives away five £300 awards to the most voted entries. The entries come from some very diverse areas, whether it’s angling in Anglesey, baking in Birmingham or playing netball in Newcastle.