Cherokee Six
ACCESSIBLE AVIATION FOR EVERYONE
In 2023, our work to transform the lives of disabled people through the magic and wonder of flight enabled 291 disabled people to fly with us for the first time. However, unfortunately not everyone who wishes to access our services is currently able to do so. Over the past three years, we have been forced to turn away those with more serious physical limitations, such as young people with Muscular Dystrophy, because the aircraft in our existing fleet are not able to accommodate their more complex needs. It is heartbreaking when, because of the severity of their disabilities, we are forced to turn some people away.
We know that flying can provide a level of challenge and exhilaration that is difficult to find elsewhere, and we remain committed to ensuring that this life-enhancing experience is available to more people who would benefit, regardless of the severity or complexity of their disability. With this in mind, we are appealing to your generosity by asking you to consider a contribution towards an exciting new project that will enable us to extend our reach to many more disabled people.
Easy hoist access
Hoist and wheelchair loading through the large rear door
THE BACKSTORY
We previously owned a Cherokee Six, but sadly during the Covid pandemic the aircraft was sold and so its capability was lost. Having operated this versatile model in the past, we know the fantastic benefits it can provide us and are very keen to regain the enhanced capacity.
The Cherokee Six will give us the ability to support more complex disabilities
Our previous Cherokee Six sold during the Covid pandemic
ABOUT THE AIRCRAFT
The Cherokee Six has several key points in its favour, making it a valuable and much-needed addition to our fleet.
Its size and design, with extra space onboard for mobility equipment and carers to join the flight, will enable us to extend our flight experiences to a wider range of beneficiaries. This additional space and extra door also allows us to deliver enhanced hoisting, further extending those that can fly.
The additional two seats and greater baggage space (compared to our existing aircraft) will give us the capability to provide flyaway activities to any airfield in the UK, taking the hoist and equipment such as electric wheelchairs inside the aircraft. This will greatly further our mission to extend our reach beyond our existing physical sites and current community by giving us the capacity to offer an additional 100 flights every year to severely disabled people.
The new aircraft we have found
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Inevitably there are significant costs associated with the purchase of a new aircraft, and to make this a reality, we rely on voluntary donations from those who understand and support our mission. We are delighted to report that thanks to the generosity of the George Goodsir Charitable Trust, we have already raised over half of the total funds needed to offset the cost of purchasing a Cherokee Six Aircraft. However, we urgently need to raise the remaining funds so that we can bridge the shortfall. With this in mind, we would greatly appreciate a donation, however small, to help us reach our remaining fundraising target of £75,000. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
As a token of our gratitude for your generous support, we would like to offer you the opportunity to have your name, or the name of a loved one, added to the wing of the aircraft for donations of £50 or more. For corporate donations of £3,000 or more, your organisation's logo will be featured on the aircraft. Once you have donated we will contact you to confirm the name that you would like to have added.
