Mother: 'Son would be proud of the Jon Egging Trust' (From Bournemouth Echo)

Mother: 'Son would be proud of the Jon Egging Trust'

9:45am Saturday 1st September 2012 in News By Darren Slade, Chief Reporter

FUNDRAISERS: Dawn Egging, right, receives a cheque for £200, for the Jon Egging Trust, from Amanda Bailey. Left, Jon Egging Picture: Hattie Miles 15033542

THE mother of Red Arrows pilot Jon Egging said he would be proud of the work being done in his name.

Dawn Egging said her son and his wife Emma had been talking about setting up a project for young people in the months before he died.

Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging lost his life when his jet crashed after a Red Arrows display at last year’s Bournemouth Air Festival .

The Jon Egging Trust has been set up in his memory to provide opportunities for young people who are under-achieving in the education system.

Dawn, who is in Bournemouth fundraising during the Air Festival, said: “Jon and Emma had been thinking about a project. It was kind of coming up to the end of his first year in the Reds and he was so enjoying life. There was so much more he wanted to do.

“He loved being with youngsters and seeing their faces when they were talking to the boys in the Reds.”

She said the family had decided soon after Jon’s death to start the charitable trust.

“There were donations coming in saying ‘Please give this to Jon’s favourite charity’,” she said.

“I think he would have been really proud of Emma.”

Dawn received a £200 cheque yesterday from Mandy Bailey of Bournemouth’s Asda at St Paul’s, raised through donations and sponsored events from staff.

Dawn said it would cost around £30 a day to put young people through the Jon Egging Trust’s programme.

“ We couldn’t do what we do without the support of the RAF and Bournemouth,” she said.

“We’re coming to Bournemouth to run the programme next year. We’re working together with the council’s community education adviser. The council will be helping with links with the schools. We’re also linking with the Air Cadets to help with fundraising, and Terry Trevett of the Bournemouth Red Arrows Association.”

She told how the trust is still run by four people with full-time jobs – Emma, who works at the British Museum; Dawn, who works at Birmingham University; Jon’s childhood friend James Godley; and Red Arrows pilot Ben ‘Planky’ Plank.

She said of her daughter-in-law: “We’ve become incredibly close, which is something I’ll always value.

“When I’m with Emma, it’s like being with Jon. I hope she’s able to move forward in life and take her path, wherever it takes her. I’ll always be Mum for her.”