STUDENTS have been inspired to reach for the sky by the memory of a pilot who lost his life pursuing his dream job of aerobatics.
A group of Year 8s from Northallerton School and Sixth Form College spent the morning involved in activities designed to boost their self-esteem and hone their teambuilding skills.
Andy Bowden, Yorkshire youth liaison officer with the national charity the Jon Egging Trust, worked with the students using construction kits in an exercise that developed key life skills and communications while improving self-confidence.
The trust was launched to inspire young people following the tragic death of Fl Lt Jon Egging, a Red Arrows pilot who was killed in 2011when his Hawk fighter aircraft crashed at the Bournemouth Air Show.
Sessions in the classroom will be followed by a trip to RAF Leeming where they will be given an insight into the work of the air force.
Mr Bowden said: “The students don’t know each other very well at the beginning of the outreach programme but are soon chatting and working together.
“They have been amazing showing a variety of qualities such as resilience, perseverance, passion and commitment. They have been great to work with and I am very proud of what they have already achieved.”
Student Lucy Salkeld, 12, added: “It has been a great experience. Working together has been good fun and it also gets us talking and making new friends.”