Shawbury helicopter pair to take on survival test
Two helicopter instructors from No 660 Squadron of the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury are preparing themselves for a charity event with a difference.
Warrant Officer 2 Colin Judge and Lieutenant Martin Pickles are getting ready to take on a 2 week survival exercise on the West Coast of Scotland from the 7th March.
The pair are taking the challenge with an aim to raise at least £1000 for the Movement Centre in Oswestry. The centre is the chosen charity of the helicopter Squadron, which trains pilots from all 3 services on the Squirrel helicopter at the airfield. The Movement Centre is a charity dedicated to helping children with cerebral palsy and other movement related disorders.
The survival exercise will begin in Barisadle on the banks of Loch Hourn. The pair will be flown in as part of a training exercise before being left in the wilds to fend for themselves from the land. Accommodation will be in the form of a hammock in small woods about a mile from the beach. They will have the use of a small boat and crab pots and fishing kit will be taken. Dress will be military issue clothing with their own hiking boots.
Colin is a qualified first aider and a RYA Level 2 Power Boat handler. Colin said, ‘I have conducted 3 one week survival exercises at Barisdale before so am familiar with the lay of the land and the amenities that are available. Emergency rations will be taken and a game warden and his wife live 200m from the woods and they have a radio telephone and more substantial boat to take any casualties to the nearest medical facility at Malang. There is also a fully equipped Bothy with water and heating should the weather really close in.’
The event has received sponsorship from outdoor companies; Loving Outdoors and Kit Moster. CLICK HERE to donate.
