Santa christmas flights
24 December 2007
Flybe put its red and white suit on last week as Europe’s largest regional airline took children from Southampton, Inverness and Norwich for a private flight with Santa and some of their football heroes.The specially chartered flights, organised by Flybe and in association with the Wessex Cancer Trust, Raigmore Hospital and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, took children on a memorable journey with Santa and the local football stars for a once in a lifetime pre-Christmas treat, taking a detour over each of the stadiums on the one hour flight.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle footballers Richie Hart, Ian Black, David Proctor, Phil McGuire, Guy Kerr, and Michael Fraser, Norwich City footballers David Marshall, Jamie Cureton, Luke Chadwick, Mark Fotheringham, Simon Lappin, and Chris Martin and Southampton FC footballers Claus Lundekvam, Andrew Surman, Youssef Safri, Kelvin Davis, Manager George Burley and chief scout John Gorman were all aboard the flights, dishing out mince pies, posing for photographs, chatting to the children and joining in the festivities.
Flybe is proud of its close ties to Inverness, Southampton and Norwich and as chief club sponsors of all three clubs, are dedicated to giving something back to all of the local communities it serves.
Flybe’s General Manager Market Development, Ian Taylor said: “The people of Inverness, Southampton and Norwich have shown us great support in 2007 so it is real a pleasure for us to be able to give something back into the community and offer the children a completely unique Christmas gift.”
Photography from each flight is available on request.