Family charity The Muscle Help Foundation is keen to ensure that as many young people with muscular dystrophy across the UK hear about this opportunity and can either self-nominate or be nominated to participate in this year’s 2018 Flying Muscle Dream Programme at TAG Farnborough Airport and then at Blackbushe Airport, taking place on Thursday 26th and Friday 27th July 2018.

The aim of this programme is to once again take a pioneering stance by giving a highly-personalised flying experience to young people with Muscular Dystrophy by encouraging them to literally “take-the-controls” in level flight and in so doing, give them a powerful sense of real achievement underpinned by greater self-belief, improved confidence and personal resilience. In broadening beneficiary horizons, they aim to transform a person’s outlook and encourage a desire to experience new things in their lives.

OPERATIONAL PARTNERS

The charity is delighted to announce that once again their operational partners who have supported this programme in previous year’s have all confirmed their commitment to this year’s 2018 event – with special thanks to:

  • TAG Farnborough Airport
  • Aerobility at Blackbushe Airport (Reg Charity No. 1149629)
  • The Village Urban Resort Hotel at Farnborough
  • Parity for Disability (Reg Charity No. 1071571)

How to enter: 

Tell The Muscle Help Foundation why you would love to be part of this year’s flying muscle dream programme. They love nominations that make them laugh! Simply answer the one question below and tell them as creatively as you dare in either a 30-SECOND VLOG … a MINI BLOG … or an amazing POEM what it would mean to you & your family to be selected for this year’s flying event.

QUESTION: How much would it mean to you to EARN YOUR WINGS by taking the controls in level flight but also experiencing a totally exclusive VIP insight into one of Europe’s most amazing private business jet facilities used by celebrities, movie stars, music icons and the occasional footy team?

Should any beneficiaries have a learning disability, Mums and/or Dads and/or brothers/sisters etc can of course and indeed are encouraged to help with your nomination – the more fun, the more creative, the better!

Next Steps – How do I nominate? 

Email your nomination to: info@musclehelp.com

You MUST include the full name of the beneficiary
You MUST specify the age + date of birth of the beneficiary
You MUST include one primary email address + your postal address
You MUST include your landline + mobile numbers
You MUST specify the type of Muscular Dystrophy the beneficiary has
You MUST tell us if the beneficiary uses a manual/power wheelchair
You MUST tell us how you heard about this opportunity

Nominations Deadline Date is Saturday 16th June 2018.

Submissions received after this date may NOT be included in the charity’s final selection process.

Incomplete nominations ie. those that don’t have ALL the requested information stated above may NOT be accepted

  • Minimum age (girls & boys) = 10yrs, maximum age = 28yrs
  • Up to a maximum of three (3) family member’s incl one (1) beneficiary will be able to go in the aeroplane
  • In cases of extreme muscle weakness, where breathing support is needed or the head needs support, solutions are available
  • Hoisting is often necessary for those unable to self-transfer
  • Aerobility have an excellent hoist system which we have used very successfully in previous years, enabling safe aircraft access & exit
  • Aerobility are regulated & approved by the Civil Aviation Authority
  • The charity will inform successful nominees by phone
  • You’ll be contacted within 1-wk of the nominations deadline date
  • The charity’s decision is final

Note
Priority is given to young people (girls & boys) who have NOT been the recipient of either a unique Muscle Dream or one of the charity’s Muscle Dream Programmes in the last 2 years (24 months)

Audience/Charity’s Target Group For This Programme
As with all Muscle Dream activities, their beneficiary audience are children and young people in the UK who have muscular dystrophy and/or an allied neuromuscular condition such as spinal muscular atrophy

Making Flying Accessible For All – About Aerobility 
AeroBility is a user-led charity run largely by disabled aviators with experienced instructors trained to work with disabled individuals using adapted aircraft, making flying accessible for all

Creating A Highly-Personalised Flying Experience
Their aim with this programme is to take a pioneering stance by giving a highly-personalized flying experience to young people with Muscular Dystrophy by encouraging them to literally take-the-controls in level flight and in so doing, give a powerful sense of real achievement underpinned by greater self-belief, improved confidence and personal resilience

In broadening beneficiary horizons, they aim to transform a person’s outlook and encourage a desire to experience new things in their lives.