June 6th 2025: HighFlight, a charity founded and funded by British Airways pilots, which aims to ‘challenge disadvantage through the medium of flight’, is to become an official partner of youth charity the Jon Egging Trust (JET).
From next academic year, HighFlight will sponsor a cohort of 15 students from Hampshire who are taking part in JET’s three-year STEM-inspired Blue Skies programme. HighFlight will donate £15,000 per year to sponsor the students as they progress through JET’s flagship programme which harnesses the power of aviation, aerospace and engineering to support young people to build confidence, aspiration and career goals, enabling them to fulfil their potential at school and into employment.
JET Directors, Laura Carey and Fi Collins, yesterday accepted a cheque from HighFlight Trustees, Simon Cheadle, British Airways’ Director of Flight Operations, and Andy Godwin, BA’s Training Standards Captain, during an official launch event for the partnership at Heathrow Airport.
Laura Carey said that the partnership represents an exciting opportunity for JET and its students: “We are incredibly proud that HighFlight has chosen to support our students in this way. Offering access to extraordinary workplaces and professionals linked to the world of aviation is central to our ethos, and our students will benefit immeasurably from the funding, and also from the access they will gain to inspiring professionals and career pathways linked to this iconic British airline.”
Andy Godwin said that HighFlight was delighted to support the next generation of potential aviators through the work of the Jon Egging Trust: “We have long admired the work that JET does engaging and inspiring future generations. Its STEM focus and aviation background chimes with our desire to challenge disadvantage and bring lasting improvement to the lives of those who are underrepresented through the medium of flight. BA pilots are excited to bring JET into the HighFlight charity community and look forward to seeing how our first cohort flourish as they embark on the Blue Skies programme.”
ENDS
About the Jon Egging Trust
Founded in 2012 by Dr Emma Egging OBE, following the tragic death of her husband, Red Arrows pilot Flt Lt Jon Egging, the Jon Egging Trust (JET) supports young people who are facing adversity and come from disadvantaged backgrounds to develop aspirations and social and emotional skills, re-engage with learning, improve their grades and maximise their employment potential.
JET’s experiential learning programmes provide long-term support and access to extraordinary workplaces and STEM environments and the inspirational role models within them.
For more information and interview requests please email: media@joneggingtrust.org.uk