Primary schoolchildren across Scotland have taken part in our Skyward Challenge to win a visit from Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance’s newest helicopter.
During September, SCAA's aviation partner Babcock has supported a series of ‘show and tell’ events throughout Scotland – and the lucky winning schools will be among the first to view the latest generation of lifesavers up close.
Children were challenged to raise funds for the charity by carrying out 145 laps. This could be running, walking or swimming done in their playground, local park or swimming pool, over hurdles or assault courses.
A total of 62 registered for the challenge with 41 actively fundraising, raising over £78,000 between them for the country’s only charity funded Helicopter Emergency Medical Service. Seven lucky schools topped the table and, as of this week (September 15 - 19), SCAA’s new helicopter and crew will be dropping into playgrounds, playing fields and parks in every corner of the country.
Event co-organiser Claire Bain, regional community fundraiser with SCAA, said the Skyward Schools Challenge had proved “a tremendous success”.
“The schools really stepped up to the challenge and the children were so engaged in their fundraising activities in a bid to support the charity and hopefully secure a visit by our new state-of-the-art helicopter,” said Claire.
“We owe a huge thanks to all the children and primary school communities that took part and raised a tremendous £78,552.29 throughout Scotland – support that truly will prove life-saving.
“We wish we could visit each and every school that supported us but it’s just not possible,” explained Claire. “We will fly our new helicopter as far north as Orkney, out to the western isles and south to our border counties to fulfil our promise to our winners.
“The engagement with primary schools through this challenge has been fantastic and hopefully SCAA can continue to work with pupils across Scotland to raise awareness of our life-saving work.”
