A fleet of light aircraft and volunteer pilots contended with less than ideal weather to carry more than 130 children and their families, giving them an experience and memories they will never forget.
This year’s event involved three charities – Children’s Hospice South West, CLIC Sargent and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
The children and their families enjoyed a full day of entertainment, including a Hunter Flying static exhibition, fire engine, storytelling, feltmaking, Captain Coconut’s Soap Bubble Extravanganza, musical entertainment from Hysteria and a free lunch time barbecue and afternoon cream tea.
Jon Hanna, Goodridge Director and co-founder of the event said: “In spite of the adverse weather conditions, this year’s Flyday was a tremendous success. I’d like to thank everybody who made the event possible, including Exeter Airport and Air Traffic Control who made the flying seamless, all the pilots who managed to stick to the flying rota and provide flights for everyone, and all the Goodridge staff and charity volunteers who made sure everything ran smoothly.
“It was inspiring for all of us to be able to see the smiles, hear the squeals of delight and feel the pleasure these families had in enjoying and sharing the day together. It was also great to see how all the participants, helpers and carers found it such a rewarding experience, and we hope to be able to repeat the success again next year”.
The Goodridge Flyday was the brainchild of Jon Hanna and company founder and Chairman Stuart Goodridge, who sadly passed away earlier this year and was also an enthusiastic pilot.
Goodridge, which is the world’s leading manufacturer of performance fluid transfer systems, is based at the Exeter Airport Business Park and employs around 100 staff in Exeter and more than 300 worldwide.
The Goodridge Flyday 2011 was sponsored by the following organisations: PVM Supplies, Andy Loos, Cheddar Valley Pig Roast, Lloyd Maunder Butchers, Bako Western, Highfield preserves, Captain Coconuts Road Show and the North Devon Mini Register.
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