Northamptonshire-based aerobatic team, the Blades, has selected the Northampton Town Community Trust as one of the charities they will be supporting this year at their annual charity ball.
The Blades Team, who perform dazzling displays around the UK and represent GB internationally in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship, will raise funds for three charities, including their official charity partner, the RAF Benevolent Fund.
From a regional perspective, the Blades Event Committee confirmed its support of a brand new NTFC Community Trust project entitled ‘forces friendly’.
Donations raised from the Blades’ Ball will support a project focussing on supporting local veterans to improve their physical activity and mental health. It will also provide free access to a combination of physical and social gathering programmes across the year. All activities will provide veterans with opportunities to build new social connections, stay physically active in life after service and rekindle the camaraderie normally associated when serving.
NTFC Community Trust Chief Executive Phillip Smith said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen by the Blades as their local charity for 2019. As a charity, we rely on the generosity of our supporters and partners such as the Blades to help us to deliver our life-changing work, this project will allow us to further connect the communities we serve in Northamptonshire to make an even bigger impact. We are looking forward to developing an exciting relationship with the Blades over the next year!”
Team Leader and Blade 1, Andy Evans, said: "Now into its 14th year, the Blades’ Ball has raised thousands of pounds for a variety of national and regional charities and we are very proud to be able to give support to the local community through this event. Supporting the NTFC Community Trust and RAF Benevolent Fund this year means that we can reach out to veterans in the Northants area and hopefully make a real difference to their lives. As former military pilots ourselves, supporting the Trust is a good fit and we’re excited to see how the donations will impact the community."