Aerobility and the remotest participant in the 2020 London Marathon
Living on St Helena, in the middle of the South Atlantic, one of the remotest places on earth, Neil Foster certainly knows a thing or two about isolation. It is this experience that has inspired him to raise money for Aerobility – as we strive to tackle the isolation that disability can sometimes lead to.
Originally from Canada, Neil Foster moved to the remote volcanic island in the South Atlantic to help with private sector development with the promise of benefit from the new airport. Previously, it was only possible to access the island by boat – a five-day journey on the RMS St Helena from South Africa. “Thanks to the airport, it’s now possible to perform a medical evacuation if someone needs transportation to hospital in South Africa,” says Foster. He continues “Aviation is supporting the island community in the ways that matter most, and Aerobility extends the benefit of flight through meaningful transformation of lives”
The airport is not the only initiative to help create benefit to overcome a sense of isolation. SHAPE (St Helena’s Active Participation in Enterprise), plays a crucial role in supporting the island’s disabled and vulnerable adults who face social exclusion. Having supported them, Neil will now run the virtual London Marathon in support of Aerobility on the 4th October. He is hoping the aviation community will get behind his effort to support disabled flying. He has therefore set up a sponsorship page here http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/flytogether
Neil commented on his run:
“Whereas St Helena is a small developing island in the South Atlantic Ocean that is metaphorically learning to fly, Aerobility is a charity that actually helps disabled people to find their wings and their purpose through literally helping them to fly.”
Mike Miller Smith, Aerobility CEO, added:
“What Neil is undertaking is remarkable. Not only is he is isolated geographically but running a marathon, on your own, without the support of fellow runners or cheering crowds is an exercise not only in physical capability but also mental resilience. This is something that will resonate with our community and aviation as a whole. We hope that aviators and wider members of this community will get behind his effort and sponsor him.”
Like all marathons, Neil’s run will be a challenge in itself. However, making it even tougher than most will be the volcanic island’s extremely hilly terrain.
The run, which will also include a section around the newly built airport will take place this Sunday, October 4th.
