Emma Egging takes on ten challenges for Jon Egging Trust

Dr Egging founded the youth charity following the death of her husband, Red Arrows pilot Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging at the Bournemouth Air Show in 2011.

Her challenges will kick off with a gruelling 33-mile Grantham Canal ultramarathon on Sunday, April 18 – when she will be joined in stages by former Red Arrows leader Squadron Leader Martin Pert, ex Battle of Britain Memorial Flight chief Squadron Leader Duncan Mason, and JET patron Air Vice Marshal Harvey Smyth.

Emma’s ultramarathon, starting at Nottingham Forest Football Club, will also launch the charity’s JET10 Virtual Relay, a national initiative to encourage teams of 10 from across the UK to jog, run or walk 10x10 kilometres to raise funds to support JET’s next decade of work.

Dr Egging said: “At JET we work with young people who are at risk of falling out of fulltime education because of the life challenges they face. "Our ethos is all about building confidence to overcome adversity and get back on track.

"That’s exactly what I’m doing too, taking on events which will be a huge personal challenge to me, and overcoming fears – which include open water swimming – to show that anything is possible with support and determination.

"I really hope my events will shine a light on the work we do, and encourage people to sign up for our virtual relay.

"We need to raise funds to springboard our ambition for the next ten years, and the young people we support need us more than ever in light of the added challenge and complexity that Covid-19 has heaped on their lives."

Over the past ten years, JET has supported more than 30,000 young people.

It has set a target of raising £100,000 to help reach out to one million youngsters by 2031.

More details of Emma’s ten events - which include the JET10 Virtual Relay in July, the Great North Run in September and the London Marathon in October, can be found at www.joneggingtrust.org.uk