Flightline UK - RIAT Press Release 09/11/2005

2006 Edition

Press Release (25/11/2005) - RIAT'06 - Air Tattoo Gives BBC’S Pudsey a Lift

A special BBC Children in Need auction prize offered by the organisers of the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, attracted a bid of Ł40,000 on Terry Wogan’s Radio Two Breakfast Show recently.

The Battle of Britain package was won by Caroline d’Sa, of Surrey. Her three-day prize for two will start from Fairford on July 13, 2006 with a low-level flight in a private luxury Gulfstream jet along the historic Battle of Britain coastline – from Dover to The Wash – and over key Battle of Britain airfields. They will then spend a night in the RAF Officers’ Mess at the home of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. They will then be taken to RAF Fairford to sample the build-up to the world’s largest military airshow. And joining them will be Terry Wogan’s Breakfast Show sidekicks Alan Dedicoat and Paul Walters.

A spokesman for Gulfstream said: “This is the second year we have teamed up with the Royal International Air Tattoo to help raise money for BBC Children in Need and we are delighted that the package we were able to put together attracted such a generous bid. We shall do all that we can to ensure that the winning bidder and their guest have a memorable time with us next July."

Air Tattoo organisers were also involved in helping the Royal Air Force stage a special BBC Children in Need concert featuring Jamie Cullum, Status Quo, Tony Christie and Girls Aloud.

The concert, at RAF Brize Norton, was broadcast live on Friday (November 18) to an audience of millions.

For the past three months, a team of event management specialists from the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, which organises the annual Air Tattoo, were involved in marketing, ticketing, catering and attracting sponsorship for the event. They also provided expert advice and logistical support, with safety barriers, toilets and a variety of temporary structures.

Air Tattoo Director Tim Prince said he was delighted to be in a position where he could help both RAF Brize Norton and BBC Children In Need.

“The significant support we have volunteered reflects the close relationship we enjoy with RAF Brize Norton – and the Royal Air Force in general – and is a thank-you for the support we receive from them during the Air Tattoo. I am in no doubt it will be an excellent concert and will help raise lots of money.”

Concert sponsors included Boeing, Burford Garden Centre, Andy Loos, The Marquee Company, Serco, property consultants Bucknell Austin, LeFarge, MPD Offsets and PRIDE.