Jon Egging Trust leadership students say a farewell to the search and rescue team at RAF Leconfield

Fourteen young people aged 13 and 14 from York High School had an exciting tour of the Search and Rescue facility at RAF Leconfield before climbing aboard one of the Sea King helicopters and learning firsthand about how rescues are carried out. It was an incredible opportunity for the young people, and a chance for them to say farewell to the Search and Rescue team before the operation is taken over by Bristow and moves to Humberside Airport. This was the beginning of their second year of a Blue Skies youth engagement programme which concentrates on developing their leadership skills.

Sgt Dan Hewitt said “It was a pleasure to welcome young people taking part in The Jon Egging Trust’s Blue Skies programme from York High School recently; all members of E Flight who were involved in the session on Communication and Leadership skills were extremely impressed with everything the young people achieved on the day. It was a particularly poignant session as the group were the last school party to visit the base and it was great to be able to support Blue Skies before our flight hands over UK SAR cover to the Bristow Group at the end of March.

Sgt Dan Hewitt, Winchman, E Flight, 202 Squadron. 

Beth (student) said: “Doing Blue Skies is amazing, because we do things we haven’t done before and it means a lot to be on Blue Skies because we need confidence for everything we do in life.

James Walker, Pastoral Assistant at York High School said: “We will always need new leaders and Blue Skies is a perfect opportunity for schools to help find those future leaders, and also support those who may never have even dreamt of leading.”