Record Amount Raised By Bournemouth Air Festival

26 November 2013, 10:27 | Updated: 26 November 2013, 10:29

A record £21,000 has been raised for charity by this year's Bournemouth Air Festival.

Gathering at the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel, representatives from the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC), Hounds for Heroes and the Jon Egging Trust, received a cheque for £7,000 each; the largest ever donations from the Air Festival.

The monies were raised by visitors purchasing the official Air Festival souvenir brochure, with £1 from the cover price going to the three charities. 

In addition to this, members of the Air Festival Patrons Scheme; local businesses who fund additional content for the event, raised almost £2,000 for the charities through a combination of individual donations and charity raffle and auction bids. 

The cheques were presented by Commodore Jamie Miller CBE of the Royal Navy, Major Jon Wort of the Army and Warrant Officer Al Randle from the RAF. 

Jon Weaver, Air Festival Director said:

"This year's Air Festival was hugely successful, probably the best we've had in terms of visitor numbers, the fantastic displays and of course, the weather.  

"It's great to see this success reflected in the charity donations the visitors and Patrons have made.  We set a target of £20,000 this year, so to have exceeded it we owe a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed."

The 2014 Bournemouth Air Festival takes place on 28th to 31st August.