XH558 End of season update & Winter Service funding news

[Hurn]

From Fridays newsletter:

Closing off a spectacular 2012 season

Welcome to our end-of-season update. It's been a remarkable summer, with Vulcan XH558 taking part in some amazing celebrations across the country.

As we close a year that included Her Majesty The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the Diamond Jubilee of the Vulcan aircraft type and the 30th anniversary of the liberation of the Falklands, we are proud to confirm that XH558 played a spectacular part in each of these very special occasions. She's delivered displays that have been acclaimed as amongst her best ever, she's opened and closed one of the world's greatest airshows, flown with The Red Arrows and much more.

Only last weekend, we flew a celebratory flight to many locations with links to the Vulcan, its development and support, including original equipment manufacturers, and RAF maintenance bases.

This remarkable year would not have been possible without your support, so before we tell you about our important news, a huge thank you to you all.


Important news on the Winter Service and future of XH558

Importantly, we want to provide you with information on the work required to maintain The Spirit of Great Britain through the winter and the funds that we need to raise – starting immediately – to ensure that this is possible. Two of this year's commemorative flights were unfunded which, combined with the income lost from missed airshows early in the season, means we don't yet have anything like the financial resources required to start this work.

Our forecast of income trends in this continuing poor economic climate shows we are currently forecasting a shortfall of some £800,000 over the next twelve months.


We must raise the first £400,000 in only 3 months

We have to find the first half of this figure before the end of this year to ensure that XH558's winter service can be started in time for the 2013 season.

This year's service is an 'Intermediate' with additional elements from a Minor* (Minor Star). As with last year, there are a number of critical systems that are 'time expired' so have to be renewed or sent to specialist suppliers for refurbishment.

However, unfortunately, the story on funding required over the winter does not stop there. If we are to achieve a successful season in 2013, we not only need to service the aircraft, but ensure that overheads like hangar rent and insurance are covered right the way through to when our income picks up again next spring.

Once again, we are faced with a winter battle to raise significant amounts of funding. We have achieved this before and there is certainly the determination to succeed. Where we need your help is in spreading the word far and wide. The more people we can communicate with, the better it will be for everyone.


Breaking the target into 'bite-sized' chunks.

Similar to last year, we have broken the service down into the major components needed and are offering 'cost shares' to the public as a means of fundraising.

This year, we are repeating the offer of a dedicated share certificate with every order placed, but with the added attraction of two distinct benefits aimed at achieving the funding earlier, rather than later.

Place a single order of £50 or more to receive a mystery free Vulcan part still in genuine Avro packaging from our huge reserves in deep store. (This offer will end on 14th December).

Amass over £75 of shares between now and the end of April to also be included in our Special 2013 supporters plaque, to be fitted in XH558 ahead of the 2013 season. (Due to space restrictions, this is likely to be the last ever opportunity to have your name in the famous bomb-bay of XH558).

Shares range in cost from £20 to £50 and are set out below:




Over the next few weeks, we will give you more details on each particular aspect of the service and what will be involved.

We hope to cover the cost of these service components in good time, allowing the aircraft to be ready just as quickly as possible, since if we can get her back in the air sooner, she will be our best ambassador in gaining added attention to the funding campaign.

This last weekend showed how we can gain mass publicity and new supporters away from the traditional airshow circuit yet cover our costs, so we will be looking at undertaking some dedicated fly-pasts to different parts of the country as part of out test-flight programme.

We will shortly be issuing a postal mailing that will have all these details included, and our webstore will be updated ready for online purchases from next week.

YOU CAN HELP NOW BY VISITING OUR DONATION PAGE.

If you would like to help in the meantime, then do please consider a donation by clicking on the link here.

Thank you.

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