The Vulcan to the Sky Trust (VTST) is currently fundraising to build a new home for Avro Vulcan XH558 that will inspire younger generations for years to come.
The Vulcan Experience, based at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, will provide a space in its Green Technology Hub (GTH) for schools and young people to explore the opportunities STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects bring to creating a brighter future.
The VTST already supports schools and colleges to broaden and transform education with a range of innovative and inclusive education projects.
Michael Trotter, development director at VTST said: “We are currently fundraising for the new hangar in South Yorkshire to provide a permanent home for this iconic aircraft.
“The hangar will be a place where people can look to the past and enjoy the heritage embodied in this significant national asset but importantly it will provide a space for young people to learn about, experience and explore, exciting and innovative approaches to addressing the climate challenge, the impact they can make by following STEM subjects in their education and inspire change.
“Through the hangar we aim to build a learning community with the capacity to become a self-sustaining education force, raising regional aspiration through school-based education projects, educational experiences, training and development and community enrichment.
“We would urge any business that wants to invest in the future generations to get in touch and see how we can work together. It is only with your support that we’ll be able to build what will be a fantastic visitor and education attraction here in the region.”
The VTST is currently working in partnership with The Work-wise Foundation in and CBE+ on the Operation Vulcan challenge for South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire schools.
“One of our guiding principles is to inspire the future generations and we are proud to be working with The Work-wise Foundation and CBE+ on this project to engage with secondary school students.
“The Vulcan Experience will be a fantastic education experience inspiring generations to come and it is really exciting to be working with young people from the early stages to get them involved and excited about STEM subjects,” added Michael.
VTST have also been working closely with students at Doncaster UTC and were cited in the judges’ comments when the UTC was recently awarded New Educational Institution of the Year – UK at the Prestige Awards.
The citation said: ““Our judges were impressed with the initiatives to inspire young people- in particular the Vulcan XH558 project. We appreciate how important things like this are to help the engineers of tomorrow visualise where their education could take them”
Michael added: “We have been working with Doncaster UTC for a while and we are thrilled that they have been recognised by this award. We know the hard work and dedication that goes into making this happen – the UTC is already making a difference to youngsters lives and through this their futures in the region.”
People can support the campaign by adding a name to the aircraft and contributing to the Trust’s work to build the new hangar creating a brighter future for heritage aircraft preservation, restoration and operation.
Names will be added permanently to the underside of Vulcan XH558’s bomb bay doors and undercarriage doors for a donation of £50, and on other designated areas for a donation of £30. Each dedication comes with a personalised certificate that acts as a commemorative receipt for the requested donation.
Each donation will also be treated as a contribution to Operation Safeguard and, as such, donors will also see their names feature under the wing of XH558 in perpetuity and on exhibits in the new hangar as well as membership of the Vulcan Guardians scheme.
Businesses can support via the Vulcan 558 Executive Alliance’ – a membership group open to businesses from across the UK. Any company that joins the Executive Alliance will, in return for sponsorship, receive a package of benefits including having their name displayed on a dedicated members’ wall in the new hangar. https://vulcantothesky.org/executive-alliance/
For further information visit www.vulcantothesky.org
