Barrel rolls, bombs and balls

We rely on fundraised income for our youth engagement programmes to exist, and we’re always left humbled by the amount of effort our fundraisers give to support our cause.

On Thursday 3rd August, one of JET’s first volunteers, Flt Lt Alun Pepper held an evening that offered an insight into the careers of a navigator and pilot with the RAF. The “Barrel rolls, Bombs and Balls” event was held at the iconic Petwood Hotel, the former Officers’ Mess of the Dambusters.

A number of aviation fans attended to show their support and hear all about the RAF careers of Flt Lt Alun Pepper and Flt Lt Chris Lyndon-Smith (Red 5) all in aid of the Jon Egging Trust and Orchid Male Cancer. Flt Alun Pepper (Peps) shared the experience of his flying career, having seen Ops in Northern Ireland flying the Wessex, and Tornado GR4 where he flew with Chris in tours over Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. Peps also served as Lancaster Navigator on the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). In 2006 he survived testicular cancer and as a keen awareness campaigner, this saw him crowned Britain’s Manliest Man in 2014, a title he still holds. Flight Lieutenant Chris Lyndon-Smith joined the Royal Air Force in 1998 and after flying training was posted to the Tornado GR4. Following this Chris was then posted to 208 Squadron, Royal Air Force Valley where he served as a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) for three years, after which he was posted back to the Front Line in 2008 as the Squadron QFI.

Chris then achieved his ambition and was selected for the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team where he flew as Red 2, 7 and 6 (syncro pair) between 2011 to 2013. Post his Red Arrows tour Chris was posted to 100 Squadron where he flew as one of the Aggressor pilots, before he rejoined the team in August 2016 as Red 5.

The evening was a great success and raised a fantastic £1443 which was split between both charities.

Flt Lt Alun Pepper said “Chris joined the team with Jon and I have been with JET from the very beginning, having met Emma on a charity bike ride, therefore it was obviously one of the charities we wanted to support with the talk. I share the Trust’s goals of enabling young people to maximise their full potential and am chuffed that what was a fun night for us will fund one young person to complete JET’s three year Blue Skies programme.”

On behalf of everyone at the Jon Egging Trust, we would like to thank Flt Lt Alun Pepper and Flt Lt Chris Lyndon-Smith for organising the event and to everyone who attended helping to raise such a fantastic amount of funds for JET and Orchid Male Cancer.

It costs JET £1,000 to put one young person through our three year Blue Skies programme, which will provide them the skills, confidence and life experience they need to be the best they can be.

Feeling inspired by the Barrel rolls, Bombs and Balls event and want to organise an event of your own? Contact our Fundraising team today on info@joneggingtrust.org.uk to kick start your planning.