RAF Coningsby hosts Jon Egging Trust Inspiration Day

Professor Brian Cox, one of the Patrons of the Jon Egging Trust, led an inspirational Outreach Day at RAF Coningsby for students from five local schools.

40 GCSE Science students from William Farr, Lincoln Castle Academy, Baines Wallis Academy and the Banovallum School and 13 students aged 14-15 from Priory Witham Academy who are part of the Trust’s Blue Skies Programme were inspired by a talk on science and space from Brian Cox and also met RAF Personnel. The Blue Skies students had the unique opportunity of spending time with 29 Typhoon Squadron pilots and ‘flew’ in one of RAF Coningsby’s Typhoon simulators, giving them an insight into what it takes to operate the RAF’s most capable fast jet.

Blue Skies students said “today has inspired me to enjoy what I do and get to where I want to be in every aspect of my life”, “I feel inspired and quite shocked at how amazing the entire universe is!”, “I feel motivated to follow my dreams”.

Professor Cox said “the most important thing that the Trust does is to show its students that there are possibilities out there. We are talking about students who have low aspirations and low self-confidence – not through any fault of their own. The Jon Egging Trust literally changes their lives and inspires them to be the best they can be”.

Dr Emma Egging, CEO of the Jon Egging Trust said “inspiration is at the heart of everything the Jon Egging Trust does. With our Blue Skies programmes and Inspirational Outreach Scheme we aim to be inspiring 10,000 young people every year by 2020”

The Trust runs the Blue Skies youth engagement programme with local partners and delivers courses to develop teamwork and leadership skills for students from the crucial ages of 13-16. In Lincolnshire the programme is run in conjunction with personnel from BBMF, The Red Arrows, RAF Coningsby, RAF Scampton, RAF Waddington, RAF Wittering and RAF Cranwell.