June 2021 – On 17th June, Dr. Emma Egging, CEO of Lincolnshire-based youth charity Jon Egging Trust (JET) will be stepping onto a paddleboard for only the fourth time, as she embarks on a half-marathon along the River Witham from Newark to Lincoln. The event is the second of ten gruelling physical challenges Emma is undertaking this year as part of JET’s 10-year anniversary ‘JET10’ fundraising campaign.
Emma says: “The aim of my JET10 challenges is twofold. We want to shine a light on the vital work that we do to support young people who are struggling with confidence and finding it hard to engage in education. In addition, we are aiming to raise £100,000 to expand our programmes in the light of the Coronavirus pandemic, so we’re really hoping that lots of people will get behind us through our JET10 fundraising pages.”
Starting at Barnby in the Willows in Nottinghamshire, Emma is expecting to be on the water for over six hours as she paddles her way 13-miles north to Lincoln. She is being joined by JET trustee Sam Porteous, and two former Red Arrows pilots Dan Lowse, and Chris Lyndon-Smith who first suggested the challenge to Emma.
“Emma is a huge inspiration to us all,” says Chris. “Supporting her and the work the JET does is very important to me as I served alongside Jon in the Red Arrows. Seeing how the trust has expanded and positively affected the lives of tens of thousands of children is immensely satisfying and to play a small part in that is something I’m very proud of.”
Sam says: “It’s an honour to complete this event alongside Emma, and also to help to steer the Jon Egging Trust on its exciting journey as part of the trustee board.”
L-R: Chris Lyndon-Smith, Sam Porteous, and Dr Emma Egging during a recent training event
The paddleboard challenge comes hot on the heels of the recent announcement that Emma was appointed as an OBE for services to young people. The weekend was made all the more special for the JET team by the launch of their new resource hub for schools, JET Inspired, which they have developed in partnership with the Red Arrows.
To find out more about the #JET10 campaign and about Emma’s challenges please take a look here: jet10.joneggingtrust.org.uk
Check out Emma on Forces TV