The JTYAF VIP Hospitality Day at the Bournemouth Air Festival certainly didn't enjoy blue skies and sunshine this year but still managed to raise an incredible £11,400 for the Foundation.

photo with kind permission of corin at the Bournemouth Echo

The rain was torrential and the flying programme cancelled by 9am. We were really disappointed for all of our guests as the flying displays were obviously what they had come for. Everyone was however extremely understanding and one the core charity values of 'cheerfulness in adversity' was definitely the theme for the day.

The wonderful Land Girls entertained the guests before lunch, in keeping with the 'Vintage Sunday' theme and they created a lovely warm welcome as everyone arrived. Team JTYAF then went into action organising speakers for the afternoon entertainment and we must thank Andy Bobbins (Ex Red Arrow & Air Show commentator) who gave a talk about his time with the Reds. We were then treated to pure comedy with JTYAF Ambassador, Matthew Quinn interviewing Miss Dorset who was an incredibly good sport. Matthew also did a 'sketch' with the Tigers Freefall Parachute Display Team who were equally good sports. Finally, Mandy Hickson, gave a superb and hugely inspirational talk on her career as a Typhoon pilot. Totally appropriate for the day.

We were privileged to have 5 Barclays Community Volunteers, our usual ‘A’ Team of lovely ladies, Di, Liz, Lesley and Nina who were joined this year by Ben. They each brought with them £1000 of matched funding! Huge thanks to Barclays for their generous support.

Tracy and her team from Slick Events provided a fabulous selection of food in a totally relaxed atmosphere, even though we were, at one stage, in danger of flooding with the high tides!

With the raffle, silent auction and donations we raised an amazing £6,415.0 and £5000 of Barclays £4£ funding takes the total for the event to £11,415!

Thanks must go to the fabulous Tigers Freefall Parachute Display Team, great supporters of the JTYAF who joined us in the Marquee to the delight of the guests. Also thanks to Corin from the Daily Echo who took some amazing photographs, to Emily for organising our goodie bags, which went down really well, and to all our generous guests, donors and supporters.

Despite the weather we had a great day!