Jon Egging Trust CEO, Dr Emma Egging, was appointed OBE in this weekend’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to vulnerable young people.
2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the Jon Egging Trust (JET), the charity Emma founded as a legacy to her husband, Red Arrows pilot Flt Lt Jon Egging, who died in an accident at the Bournemouth Air Festival in 2011. As a Red Arrows pilot, Jon was passionate about inspiring youngsters through his love of aviation and teamwork. Emma founded JET to realise Jon’s vision and help to support young people who were struggling to engage with education due to lack of motivation, self-belief and confidence.
From working with 10 young people during JET’s first programme in Lincolnshire in 2012, JET has now supported more than 30,000 young lives through its unique motivational, inspirational and confidence-building programmes, which are delivered in partnership with schools and youth organisations across the UK.
Emma says of her OBE recognition: “I am humbled to receive this honour. I have been on an incredible journey over the last ten years as the CEO of JET and I am proud to have poured my heart into empowering young people to achieve without limits, a cause that I am committed to. Importantly, it is also recognition of the dedicated Jon Egging Trust team of staff, volunteers, trustees and patrons who I am privileged to work with. I am looking forward to continuing to lead our incredible team to expand the reach of our vital programmes. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who makes JET’s work possible.”
The announcement of Emma’s OBE comes hot on the heels of Friday’s launch of JET Inspired at RAF Scampton with the Red Arrows. Bringing to life the cornerstones of our face-to-face programmes – with a focus on teamwork, leadership, communication and resilience – JET Inspired is a free resource hub for teachers and youth leaders working with Key Stages 2, 3 and 4.