Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

We believe in helping anyone. What I have mainly realised throughout this journey is if someone needs help that’s it someone needs help. Rich or poor, health not in health, ‘bad decisions’/ ‘good decisions’ if that person is in trouble and I can help I will help. I believe helping Pilots Together will help keep our skies safe as will help keep those who may be deterred or can’t go back back in the skies and also publishing to the community that equal help should be given to the next generation to those who want to fly the same as say someone who wants to be an accountant and study business management would get a student loan which wouldn’t have to pay if lost job in pandemic or otherwise and other help none of which is offered to those who want to fly. If help is given now and a change to help in the future it’s most likely the competition will be based merely on competence rather than those who can risk more such as family money. The person looking after you in the skies arguably should be based on want and competence not societal status which you could argue the current lack of help increases.

 I am running to help

- debunk the ideas of that ‘some’ people do not need help e.g. only the ‘poor’ and to help the pilot community now and for the future - making the most remarkable forms of transport the safest. I believe people should be helped just as much those who worked hard and even got to a great place and need help. Rather then let them fall all the way to the bottom. The middle classes need help.

- no photoshop - how to loose weight quickly

- how to help a bad situation as much as you can

- how to run with a baby

A finali for Robin and I

Say thank you to all who have helped 

PilotsTogether is a charity established by current pilots and their supporters. Our goal is to ensure that former UK-employed professional pilots remain a part of the pilot community, overcome financial hardship, retain the skills they already have, and ultimately find new employment.

Pilots have never faced this level of disruption and uncertainty. There is also a common misconception that all pilots are wealthy and don’t need help. We want to make sure that they are supported. 

The pilots together team have a sturdy application process to which people can apply for numerous help such as guidance or finance. 

It’s been a military operation getting out the door but with no military actually in fact no one the vast majority of the time.

My BMI OF 37 - `14 Stone at 5 foot and one inches making me obese in May 2021 was a good reflection on how difficult life has been for us since you know what as previously I was a normal weight and had been all my life. The cause was Covid and all the consequences of this, namely us loosing our jobs, mainly James as a pilot due to the pandemic. For instance when I could no longer run or cycle due to the size of Robin and where he was lying at five months I wanted to swap to low impact swimming but all the swimming pools clothes and the only water I had was a bath and then James has never been so busy in his life, on the phone to banks for hours, so much paperwork, working long hour low paid job… so could not help look after Robin whilst I was to excerise. Robin was conceived when it wasn’t even in the news and we thought we were in the most secure time of our life and all our hard work and risk taking had paid off. We haven’t coped as that means to be successful we have merely pulled through.  I reached this weight as all my decisions were based on trying to keep Robin healthy in the womb and then once born. The difficulties and consequences are multi faceted but ultimately explained by becoming pregnant before Covid. Only once Robin was the right size for a running buggy at six months was I able to look after Robin and run. If he needed breastfeeding I could stop at the side of the road, if he wanted entertaining I could pass him a twig, if he wanted food I could pass him some bread, If he wanted a chat we could say hello to our neighbours.

Before I started the marathon training in January I had ran every single day but four days since 2nd May 2020. I have run the same route from Sparsholt to Westcot there and back. This mainly due to lockdown rules but did carry its advantages. I was only ever 1.5 k away from home if I needed to go back for Robin, I saw the same people every day which was one of the best as they saw and helped Robin grow up, people only said kind and encouraging things to us with never a caveat, I got to know the potholes, particular useful when my light dies and had to run in the dark, was meditative, nice to see how same place changed in seasons, reminded me every day how much the world is impertinent and your life can change so much even if you do the same thing every day and can influence in such a positive way, could leave feeling comfortable e.g. jumper and then could easily throw under my bush on the way past my house, I knew people would help us if we needed help, I started 6km regulary then decided needed to loose weight twice as quick so moved to 12km a day, sometimes I ran more. At the time of writing this I am having a cup of tea after finishing a fantastic 20 mile run in the wind, rain and dark with the full moon.  

Robin as far as we are aware judging by others and ourselves a very clever, funny, interesting and healthy person. At the time of writing this he is 16 months. put part of this down to our running journey. I believe he knew why we were running. We were running to survive. To ask life for hope. We received. I believe he has enjoyed the experience of all th weathers, wind, rain, sunshine, the different animals, mice, robins, woodpeckers, horses, the different plants, yew trees, grass, wish sticks, moon pennies, different light, light, twilight, darkness, shadows, planets, stars and moon, different music Chariots of Fire, Mary Poppins and of course the main aspects - the people, the waves, smiles, flashing lights, chats :). I wanted Robin to be born a wood and to be outside much of the time but in the end a room not even with a window and then he was in intensive care for weeks in an incubator, no birds, no wind, no trees and little hope in ever feeling and seeing these. So we made up for lost time!

I lost six stone in six months at 8 Stone a BMI of 21.1 a healthy weight and I am now very able to carry Robin up the stairs, carry him generally around, dance with him and of course run with him!

We didnt start running to raise money, nor evern when I enetered the marathon did I contemplate raising money, namely as I did not think 'I had time'. However a neighbour who Robin and I saw often on our runs one time called out she would sponsor me. I stopped and said I wasnt running for a charity but said there and then well actually it seems I may be in a provilged position to raise some money. I also remebered that I think 'time' is like 'money' I find often that many think they dont have money or time and I sometimes question this and I thought maybe I am like the person who I think does not have time and does have money so I shall not be like them and give my time. Also just like running I made time - e.g. wore same clothes all day - saved on changing/washing/drying.... :) 

Pilots Together significanly helped us through advice, companionships and finance. I would dred to think where us as a family would be without their help. Others we know have had very difficult circumstances and we believe these are people who have dedicated their lives to look after people in one of the most phenomenal but dangerous ways to travel in order to execute their freedom of movement in this wonderful world at the expense of bank loans with interest (cannot get student loan), second jobs. These are people who worked extremely hard and risked significant amounts of time and money and you know what ripped them of ‘everything’ they achieved - to look after people in the skies, a work and family life balance and enough money to give to others and to themselves. I think James, Robin and I have not coped but we have and are still pulling through. Others I’m not so sure. So as we are still on the type-rope we want to give others on the type-rope but maybe less stable the pole. We don’t have means to physically give a significant amount of money but trust me I can run!

My ‘look’ now and fitness is now. Good reflection on how we have ‘pulled/pulling’ through and that with Pilots Togethers help.