For the second time Royal Air Force Brize Norton has helped raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital by sending hundreds of cuddly toy giraffes on an air-to-air refuelling mission onboard an RAF Voyager.
Last year, the Giraffes on Tour team raised £4000 by flying 291 giraffes onboard a Voyager, with each toy sponsored for the flight. This year the team upped the passenger capacity to 500 giraffes, flying them on an evening air-to-air refuelling mission. The giraffes are now being sold on the 'Giraffes on Tour' website, with proceeds going to Great Ormond Street. Since the flight sales of giraffes and other merchandise have exceeded £10,000.
Flight Lieutenant Mark Scott, 10 Squadron Voyager pilot said:
“The charity’s fundraising for Great Ormond Street Hospital has been close to my heart for several years, and it’s an honour for me to use a “normal” day at work to help them do something extraordinary. After our successful night air-to-air refuelling training with an Atlas A400M we brought the giraffes safely back to RAF Brize Norton, ready for their next adventures as they get sold to the public, raising even more money. They were all so well behaved during the flight, and I think they enjoyed their night out with the RAF!”
Flight Lieutenant Mark Scott
No. 10 Squadron Voyager pilot
Giraffes On Tour has seen several cuddly giraffes fly in RAF aircraft over the years raising money in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital, in memory of Louise Conway who sadly lost her battle with Leukaemia in 2013.
Giraffes on Tour founder Ian Conway said:
“When landing at 2am after spending 24 hours of excitement about the amazing opportunity the RAF has given us, I was hit the enormity and reality of what this incredible adventure means to so many children and their families at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. Our 500 giraffes all had the most amazing time and we do hope that they can find new homes! We at 'Giraffes on Tour' cannot thank the RAF enough!”
Ian Conway
Giraffes on Tour Founder
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