Gama Aviation sets sail to raise money for fly2help.

Tuesday 5th July 2011

A team of enthusiastic sailors from Gama Aviation, the Farnborough, UK headquartered business aviation services company, set sail from Cowes on the Isle of Wight to compete in the recent 80th annual 'Round the Island Race.'

Gama braved the elements to raise money for the company's long-standing charity of choice, fly2help, one of the UK's leading aviation charities dedicated to supporting families and individuals facing a wide range of trauma or tragedy.

Weather dominated the race as team Gama (made up of pilots, operations and engineering personnel), along with a record-breaking fleet of 1,900 yachts, faced winds of up to 28 knots to negotiate the famous 50-nautical mile circumnavigation of the Island.

Reported to be one of the toughest races in the event's history, the Coastguard received a number of calls for assistance, including 'Man Overboard' reports, capsizes, demastings and sail damage. After nine hours and 14 minutes, team Gama crossed the finish line in 527th place, feeling weary, but proud at both getting round the island safely and raising the sum of £2,800 for fly2help.

"I have always wanted to take part in this exciting event, which is one of the most prestigious English yachting races," said Steve Wright, Group Chief Operating Officer at Gama Aviation. "Despite the extreme conditions for even the most experienced sailor, it was fun and we were all pleased to get back in one piece. Above all, we are thrilled to be able to support fly2help. Thanks to our Skipper, Captain Bob Bell and to all our generous supporters who helped make the day a success. Donations can still be made at Gama's fundraising page www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/gama.";

"We are honoured to be Gama Aviation's chosen charity and the hard work, effort and enthusiasm they have given to raising funds has been fantastic. It is a remarkable achievement and this fundraising will help us to support more very brave and special families through the power and liberation of flight. We are truly grateful for their tremendous support." said Mandy Pantall, PR and Marketing Manager at fly2help.

About Gama Group:

Gama is an international business aviation services organization, founded in 1983 in the UK by Marwan Khalek and Stephen Wright. The group employs over 300 at bases across Europe, the Americas and the Middle East and operates over 80 business aircraft. The group's companies and affiliates hold EU-OPS, FAA Part 135 and UAE GCAA Charter Certificates, FAA Part 145 Maintenance Approvals, Part 21 Design and Manufacture Approvals and offer business aircraft charter, management, FBO, maintenance, valeting and aviation software services.

The Group is headquartered at Farnborough Airport in the UK, with its Americas headquarters in Stratford, CT and its UAE headquarters at Sharjah in the UAE (Gama Aviation FZE). All three bases are Wyvern approved. The group operates aircraft throughout the world and has over 30 worldwide operating bases.www.gamagroup.com

About fly2help:

fly2help lifts the horizons of people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures through the medium of flight. It supports those with life-limiting and chronic illnesses; families who have suffered some form of tragedy and those who are working to recover a sense of self-worth and need a life-boost. This includes those struggling to live with bereavement and disability, isolation or poverty and people who have suffered extreme neglect and abuse.

Photo caption:Gama Aviation's yacht: The Carte Blanche of Southampton, sporting fly2help's AirSmiles logo

Gama Crew included: (Left to right)Paul Bristow - Director of Engineering, Gama Support Services; Martin Gillate - Operations Assistant, Gama Aviation; Ryan McGrath - Deputy Ground Operations Manager, Gama Aviation;Skipper Bob Bell - Captain, Gama Aviation; Trevor Jones, Director of Client Services, Gama Aviation.