Vulcan 50th anniversary appeal

Following a spectacular summer in which the unique Avro Vulcan XH558 awed and entertained over 2.5million people at events around the UK, owner and operator Vulcan to the Sky Trust (VTST) is today launching a new wide-ranging appeal to ensure that XH558 flies for her Golden Anniversary next year.

Over the past year, despite the dire economic conditions, VTST raised over £1.7million, including over £800,000 from a public appeal last winter, then delivered on its commitment to return the fully airworthy and operational Vulcan back to those who paid for her, and achieved its aims of Honouring the Past & Inspiring the Future.

But to keep her flying for her 50th birthday year, the sum of £2.4million now needs to be raised. VTST Chief Executive Dr Robert Pleming says: “A one-off programme of engineering and overhaul work needed to keep XH558 airworthy has pushed our costs up for this coming year, but as long as the public still wish to see XH558 in the air, we remain confident that we will raise the money.”

VTST's business plan shows £1.6million coming from known revenue streams such as sponsorship and appearance fees, leaving a £800,000 gap to be raised through a public campaign.

Says Dr Pleming: “Last winter we asked the public for pledges, on the basis we couldn't be sure we would raise enough money to fly the aircraft. But with the confidence that the year's stunning success has given us, this time we are asking for donations directly.”

“We are launching the 50th Birthday Appeal now, because the engineering programme involves long lead times and staged payments. We need to raise half of the £800,000 before Christmas, and the other half before Easter. The next few weeks are critical.”

“The public have certainly taken this iconic and beautiful aircraft to their hearts. We again need their help to ensure that XH558 flies on into the future. Given that only a fraction of those who were awed by the sight of XH558 in 2009 have contributed directly to her funding, we believe that there is a significant source of potential new funds into which we can tap."

(VTST Press Release, 20th 0ctober 2009)


Avro Vulcan XH558. Photo: Howard Heeley.

Visit the 'Vulcan to the Sky' website for up-to-the-minute news at: http://www.tvoc.co.uk