JET Annual Dinner 2025
The JET Annual Dinner took place on Thurs 8th of May at the RAF Museum Midlands; a fitting location as we joined with the nation in remembering and reflecting on the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
A highlight of the Jon Egging Trust calendar, the dinner is an opportunity to celebrate the exceptional support we and our students receive from our extensive network of corporate and military partners, funders, volunteers, Patrons and Trustees.
Taking centre stage
The event began with a VIP reception for our Platinum and Gold Partners where the opening address was given by JET Patron, Sir Stuart Atha, who spoke of the deep and growing need for our programmes.
Fellow JET Patron, Air Marshal Harv Smyth, then formally opened the dinner, speaking of the pride he has felt at watching the charity go from strength to strength since our foundation in Lincolnshire in 2012 (when we worked with just ten young people!).
Diners were entertained throughout the evening by our fantastic compere, JET Ambassador, Air Vice-Marshal Simon Edwards, and we also heard from JET graduate, Tamayha Hudson, who spoke movingly of the impact of Blue Skies on her confidence and outlook.
We are delighted to announce that the evening raised over £56,000 for JET, making it our most successful dinner to date! We are grateful to all who dug deep in the auction, and especially to our headline sponsors, Lockheed Martin, for their support.
Celebrating success
The evening culminated in our annual JET Awards, where three perpetual trophies were presented by JET CEO Dr Alex Brown and Lockheed Martin MD, Emlyn Taylor.
Congratulations to all our nominees, winners and runners up; we couldn’t do what we do without you!
Corporate Team of the Year – Winners:
NATS
NATS has been a tremendous supporter of JET. From donating significant funding and giving over 100 hours of volunteer support to our students, and even supplying two significant auction items for our dinner, NATS has been an incredibly strong advocate for JET for almost 10 years. It’s a partnership that continues to grow across our regions, and this year!
All of the staff at NATS give their time so willingly to deliver engaging, motivational and inspiring sessions. A major part of the team was Stu Little, a larger than life character who had volunteered in a variety of roles for ten years and who was extremely highly valued by us all. Stu sadly passed away last year after a short illness and he is very much missed by all of us and our students at JET.
Corporate Team of the Year – Runners up:
QinetiQ
BAE Systems
Military Team of the Year – Winners:
RAF Waddington
The RAF Waddington JET team has demonstrated exceptional commitment of time and effort to JET through their consistent delivery of high-quality visits. The impact of their influence is clearly evident in student engagement – our young people in Lincolnshire specifically look forward to RAF Waddington visits.
The team consistently prioritise student development, creating an environment where young people feel confident to participate and challenge themselves. Their approach to student interaction – encouraging learning without simply providing answers – perfectly aligns with JET’s outcomes. The team’s professional conduct, adaptability in handling last-minute changes, and commitment to delivering excellence reflect the values JET aims to instil in our young people.
Military Team of the Year – Runners up:
Unsung Hero of the Year – Winner:
Sgt Stephen McKelvy
Sgt Stephen McKelvy has demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership throughout his three years with JET, volunteering over 120 direct contact hours with students, plus countless additional hours coordinating and planning activities – all while maintaining his full-time RAF duties. What truly sets Sgt McKelvey apart is his remarkable ability to connect with and inspire JET students. His engaging personality and genuine interest in their development have made him a favourite among participants, with many students specifically looking forward to sessions where he will be present. Sgt McKelvey’s unwavering positivity, professional excellence, and significant impact on students’ development makes him an exemplary candidate for this award.
Unsung Hero of the Year – Runners up:
East Midlands University Air Squadrons (EMUAS),
Susan Roberts
RAF Museum Midlands
We would like to extent our deepest thanks to everyone who has supported JET and our students this year, and to everyone involved in making the JET Annual Dinner 2025 a truly memorable evening!
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