Surprise windfall reprieves Vulcan

Just weeks after warnings of the imminent grounding of Avro Vulcan XH558, closure of its support project and associated redundancies, an anonymous donation of over £400,000 should see the world's only airworthy 'V' bomber return to the airshow circuit this summer.

According to John Sharman, Chairman of the Vulcan to the Sky's (VTST), Board of Trustees: “This most significant donation comes as a very welcome surprise on top of all of the thousands of donations and pledges received over the past four months from XH558's incredibly loyal supporters. It has enabled the Board of Trustees to commit to returning XH558 to airshows around the UK this coming summer. On behalf of XH558 and all her supporters, a heart-felt thank you to all of you who have helped.”

Despite raising £100,000 more than its original target of £800,000 VTST will continue their appeals with the aim of building a contingency fund for the future.

John Sharman said; "It is vital that we continue our efforts to recruit more supporters from the 2.5 million people who saw XH558 fly last year. VTST's business plan currently shows ongoing donations as the major revenue stream; we ask all of our supporters to do everything that they can to spread the word and bring many more people on board to ensure that XH558 keeps flying!"

VTST's plans, which include a further rigorous review of operating costs, will now be geared to ensuring that XH558 flies down the Mall on 4th June 2012, in celebration of Her Majesty the Queen's – and the Vulcan's – Diamond Jubilee.

Dr Robert Pleming of VTST said: "Over the past few weeks, we have had countless people say to us that XH558 must carry on flying, and have backed that up with a pledge. But it's also been very noticeable this year that people are less able to help, even if they would like to. The recession has made the progress of our campaign this year much slower so the timing of this amazing anonymous donation could not have been better. I have to believe that XH558 has a guardian angel, who has appeared more than once to save her when all seems to have been lost!”

More information at: www.vulcantothesky.org

Watch video by PlanesTV in support of the Trust's attempt to secure sponsorship for the continued flight operations of the XH558 (new visitors will need to register before viewing).: