Volunteers Flying High with King’s Award

A charity dedicated to changing lives by supporting people with disabilities to experience the magic of flight has received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).

Volunteers, staff, friends and family of Hampshire based Aerobility were on-hand to celebrate as the charity was presented with the crystal award and certificate signed by HM The King by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mr Nigel Atkinson.

Often described as the ‘MBE for volunteer groups’, the King’s Award recognises outstanding contributions made by volunteers to their communities, and is the highest honour awarded to local voluntary groups in the UK.

By enabling people with disabilities to experience the magic of flight, Aerobility delivers adapted flying experiences, virtual simulators, classroom sessions, and funded programmes to support disabled people of all ages.

Through this work, Aerobility harnesses the powerful and often life changing impact aviation can have, often leading users to ask themselves, ‘If I can fly an aeroplane, what else can I do?’

“Aerobility volunteers really do change lives because they embody a ‘can do’ attitude,” said Phil Austen Jones, an Aerobility volunteer and flyer.

“They remove limitations for disabled people, providing the support and instruction needed for real achievement. Beyond delivering activities, they inspire belief, independence and aspiration. This award is truly deserved.”

The charity, which focuses on three core pillars: Flying, Education, and Advocacy, all with the goal of making aviation more accessible, operates across four UK bases.

“It is an incredible honour for our volunteers to receive this award, appropriately during Volunteers’ Week,” said Mike Miller Smith MBE, Chief Executive of Aerobility.

“Contributing around £20 bn per annum to the UK economy, the voluntary sector plays an important role. Aerobility is powered by the dedication of its volunteers. They are embedded in everything we do, from flying instruction and education programmes to fundraising, advocacy and even site maintenance.

“We simply would not be the charity we are without them. We are proud that their work, enabling the disabled community to access the magic of flight, has been recognised in such a prestigious way.”

To find out more visit https://www.aerobility.com

Pictured: HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson (left), presents the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) to Neil Tucker, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Aerobility.