Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Spitfire to raise NHS funding and spirits
the number of names which can be inscribed on the famous Spitfire
FLYING TOUR The aircraft will spend two days over NI
A SPITFIRE will fly over Northern Ireland today and tomorrow to raise money for NHS NHS Charities Together.
The aircraft is set to fly over 14 hospitals in a bid to generate funds.
Spectators across the country will get to see small planes soar overhead bearing the names of NHS workers nominated by members of the public who have donated.
Around 80,000 names can be added to the aircraft.
Weather permitting, the Spitfire will take off from Cumbernauld Airport in Scotland at 3.30pm today before flying over Coleraine and Derry.
The aircraft will pass over Coleraine Causeway Hospital and Altnagevin Hospital before landing at Derry Airport later this afternoon.
Tomorrow, it will fly over hospitals in Craigavon, Armagh, Newry, Downpatrick, Lisburn, Belfast, Antrim, Dundonald and Newtownards.
The idea behind the trip, besides raising money and thanking hospitals and individuals, is to raise spirits across the UK.
This particular Spitfire was specifically built for photo reconnaissance during the Second World War and carried cameras instead of weapons.
It was has been flown by the famous Lettice Curtis, a woman pilot for war-time civilian organisation Air Transport Auxiliary and whose signature was already on the plane.
A spokesperson for the project said: “The names will be nominated by the public as a way of recognising small acts of kindness throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
“From a family member to a kind neighbour, close friend or community hero, the public can now thank them with this special gesture.
“In return for their donation, their nominated name will be one of those written on the Spitfire, which has an 80,000 name capacity.
A Justgiving page has been set up online by the Aircraft Restoration Company.