NHS Spitfire scheduled to fly over Rochdale this weekend

An NHS Spitfire will take flight from Blackpool Airport this coming Sunday (30 August) before flying by Rochdale on a journey across the North West.

The family-owned Aircraft Restoration Company's iconic blue photo-reconnaissance Spitfire, which was specifically built and used for photo reconnaissance during the war, carrying cameras instead of weapons and was also flown and air-raced by the famous female ATA pilot Lettice Curtis, is scheduled to fly by Rochdale Infirmary at approximately 2.37pm on Sunday afternoon.

The public are also being offered the unique opportunity to nominate the name of a loved one that will be handwritten onto the Spitfire to raise money for NHS Charities Together, whose funds support staff, patients, and volunteers across the country.

The names will be nominated as a way of recognising small acts of kindness by those who have been at the forefront of the country throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. From a family member to a kind neighbour, close friend or community hero, the public can now thank them with this special gesture and in return for a donation, their nominated name will be one of those written on the Spitfire, which has an 80,000 name capacity.

To submit a name, the public will simply need to donate a minimum of £10 via JustGiving. This money will then go to NHS Charities Together.

To lift the spirits of those across the UK, many of whom are still living in some form of isolation, whilst also thanking hospitals, communities and individuals, when donating you will need to state your loved one’s name and the reason for your nomination in the donation comment.

 

 

NHS Spitfire route for Sunday 30 August 2020:

• 14:00 Blackpool Airport - take off
• 14:07 Royal Lancaster Infirmary
• 14:13 Royal Preston Hospital
• 14:18 Royal Blackburn Hospital
• 14:26 Calderdale Royal Hospital
• 14:32 Huddersfield Royal Hospital
• 14:37 Rochdale Infirmary
• 14:42 Royal Bolton Hospital
• 14:45 North Manchester Hospital
• 14:47 Salford Royal
• 14:49 Trafford General Hospital
• 14:53 Wythenshawe Hospital
• 14:55 Stepping Hill Hospital
• 15:16 Melton Mowbray Hospital
• 15:36 Duxford Airfield - land

As well as the Spitfire’s usual local operations around its home base of IWM Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire, specifically planned routes will fly past communities and hospitals around mainland UK. Flight routes are being updated throughout the duration of the donation window, which will close on Sunday 20 September 2020 to align with the Spitfire closing the show at the IWM Duxford’s Battle of Britain Air Show.

To donate and nominate your loved one before the 20 September, visit:

• www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nhsspitfire