Aerei storici: donatore anonimo salva il Vulcan

Una donazione anonima di 400.000 sterline consentirà all’unico Avro Vulcan in condizioni di volo di restare attivo per la stagione 2010, festeggiando così il mezzo secolo di volo. L’obbiettivo minimo era di 300.000 sterline, con le quali coprire il costo di alcune attività di manutenzione oltre che del volo. Il restauro del Vulcan XH558, che appartiene ad una fondazione senza fine di lucro, era stato finanziato da una sottoscrizione pubblica e dalla Heritage Lottery. La fondazione Vulcan to the Sky vorrebbe far partecipare il glorioso bombardiere ai festeggiamenti per le Olimpiadi di Londra nel 2012.

Fantastic Donation Saves XH558

25 February 2010 - Robert Pleming

Dear Supporters,

There can now be no doubt that XH558 has a guardian angel looking after her: I can now confirm some really good news that vastly changes the status of our current Appeal.

Shortly, the Results Graph on our appeal site will show a massive increase due to a fantastic confirmed donation of �458,000! The donor has asked to remain anonymous, but I can reassure you that he is fully aware of the significance of this contribution.

As the result, I have pleasure in confirming that the Board of Trustees has decided that VTST now has sufficient funding in place to go forward with the planned engineering programme, and onward to the 2010 Display Season.

We have to temper this great news with the fact that our Public Appeal has been waning compared with previous years, probably as a result of the poor economic conditions and the weariness of boom and bust cycles.

Our main drive this year will be to finally put XH558 onto a firm business footing, with many new income generation schemes: Educational Lectures, New Merchandise, Regional Sponsorship, Competitions, and of course, an ongoing Annual Appeal. We must acknowledge we will continue to need public support, but gear the appeal over the whole year.

We will now focus our campaign on the 50th Birthday Appeal, which will also be marketed through our World Record attempt for signatures on XH558�s Birthday Card, until we launch our fresh campaign in May, aimed at taking XH558 on into 2011.

Very soon, those who have pledged will be receiving their �redemption� letters. Please await their arrival before making payment, so we can accurately record details and apply Gift Aid if applicable.

Your continuing support is much appreciated by everyone who knows what XH558 represents and by all those who have helped XH558 over the years. She is adored and hugely valued by people all over the world. She is quite simply - the one and only!

Each and every one of us owes a deep debt of gratitude to every individual who contributed, no matter how small their donation, for keeping the dream alive.

My sincerest thanks and best wishes to you all,

Robert Pleming.