We are the parents of Joel Hallewell, a 15 year old glider pilot from Wilberfoss near York.
Since going solo on his 14th birthday, the youngest age possible, he has taken up glider aerobatics, and has competed nationally with great success. In April he competed in the “Dan Smith Trophy”, a national competition held at the London Gliding Club in Dunstable, and won the trophy for excellence in gliding by finishing 1st in his level of sports. It is worth mentioning that in this competition, he was up against world and national champions (including a member of the Czech Aerobatics team, who he beat) and he still finished 4th overall!
Consequently, he has been selected to train with the Great British team with a view to competing in the WORLD championships in 2018, making him one of the youngest ever.
We are currently embarking on a sponsorship campaign to try and raise enough funds to make this dream possible for him. We need to raise £6000 to enable him to train and further develop his talent. He has been offered a chance to go to Sweden in the summer, once he has finished his GCSEs, to train alongside their national team. The money will go towards his costs of flying/training and transportation nationally and internationally.
Joel is a “remarkably talented young pilot ” according to his aerobatics coach and numerous flying members of Wolds Gliding Club, Pocklington, and we feel it is rare to see a young boy doing something different in the age of the “Xbox generation”.
Please, donations however great or small will be very gratefully received.