Reach for the Sky campaign

SIR DOUGLAS BADER INSPIRES THE CREATION OF THE FIRST DISABLED FLYING DISPLAY TEAM 

The Douglas Bader Foundation, a charity set up by family and friends of the legendary War Hero shortly after his death in 1982, are launching their most exciting project to date.

The ‘Reach for the Sky’ campaign is named after the iconic, biographical war-time movie that helped make the double amputee and spitfire ace Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader a house hold name. The ambitious initiative will see the creation of the first ever British, disabled flying display team.

The Flying team will be known as ‘Bader’s Bus Company’. When leading the Tangmere Wing, Douglas would announce his arrival over the French coast with the brief radio transmission of “Bader’s Bus Company on time’’. When word of his capture finally reached the Tangmere station Johnnie Johnson and the other pilots defiantly painted their spitfires with the slogan ‘Bader’s Bus Company Still Running’.

The charity aims to support four light aircraft that will be used to teach those with disabilities to fly, train a team of disabled pilots and ‘Bader’s Bus Company’ will go on to perform at airshows throughout the United Kingdom.

At 11.30 on Thursday the 25th June, David Bickers, Douglas’s step son in law and CEO of the Douglas Bader Foundation celebrated the support of the first aircraft which is operated by Aerobility.

David Bickers commented: ‘The project aims to leave a lasting legacy that is in keeping with Douglas’s own personal legacy and to inspire both the able bodied and disabled community alike’.

Mike Miller –Smith, CEO of Aerobility added: ‘’ A very exciting opportunity for two charitable organisations to work together to achieve an outstanding goal.’’