Breaking news 558 Funding

[Mayfly]

Latest News from RP...........

Once again, onwards and upwards!! – 25th February 2010

Dear Supporters,

There can now be no doubt that XH558 has a guardian angel looking after her: I can now confirm some really good news that vastly changes the status of our current Appeal.

Shortly, the Results Graph on our appeal site will show a massive increase due to a fantastic confirmed donation of £458,000! The donor has asked to remain anonymous, but I can reassure you that he is fully aware of the significance of this contribution.

As the result, I have pleasure in confirming that the Board of Trustees has decided that VTST now has sufficient funding in place to go forward with the planned engineering programme, and onward to the 2010 Display Season.

We have to temper this great news with the fact that our Public Appeal has been waning compared with previous years, probably as a result of the poor economic conditions and the weariness of boom and bust cycles.

Our main drive this year will be to finally put XH558 onto a firm business footing, with many new income generation schemes: Educational Lectures, New Merchandise, Regional Sponsorship, Competitions, and of course, an ongoing Annual Appeal. We must acknowledge we will continue to need public support, but gear the appeal over the whole year.

We will now focus our campaign on the 50th Birthday Appeal, which will also be marketed through our World Record attempt for signatures on XH558’s Birthday Card, until we launch our fresh campaign in May, aimed at taking XH558 on into 2011.

Very soon, those who have pledged will be receiving their “redemption” letters. Please await their arrival before making payment, so we can accurately record details and apply Gift Aid if applicable.

Your continuing support is much appreciated by everyone who appreciates what XH558 represents and by all those who have helped XH558 over the years. She is adored and appreciated by people all over the world. She is quite simply - the one and only!

Each and every one of us owes a deep debt of gratitude to every individual who contributed, no matter how small their donation, for keeping the dream alive.

My sincerest thanks and best wishes to you all,

Robert Pleming.
Vulcan to the Sky Trust.




New Thread so as not to lose the good news

[IanM]

I was laying in bed when I read Dr P's email... I've never jumped out of bed so quick!

Great news!!

[Jigsaw]

[Cluny]

Cool
But now changes need to be made or at least a funding drive for next year and the years beyond has to start NOW .
Yes i am going to post this on TVOC too

[Mayfly]

Guardian Angels rule!!!!!

[Xplumberlives]

Latest News from RP...........

Our main drive this year will be to finally put XH558 onto a firm business footing, with many new income generation schemes: Educational Lectures, New Merchandise, Regional Sponsorship, Competitions, and of course, an ongoing Annual Appeal. We must acknowledge we will continue to need public support, but gear the appeal over the whole year.
Robert Pleming.
Vulcan to the Sky Trust

VERY good news and an extremely important undertaking from Dr P!

[Wedgy]

Amazing!

And credit where it is due - a VERY WELL worded email from Dr P


(waiting for my own copy still though )

[Dee]

Fantastic news!!! So happy i could cry!!

[Crew chief]

This is good news for 558.
They now have enough funds for THIS year.
I hope they do get their act together and learn from this past funding crisis as we do not want to be in the same boat next year.


cc.

[Za150]

Excellent news. Im so pleased. Thank you to whoever as provided this money. Im sure every supporter of 558 will be happy as a pig in poo!!!

[Hihonyr8811]

I knew something was up when Aggy sent me a text to check the forum lol which I can't as it's down

Great news.

And who ever they are, thank you

I just hope we're not in the same situation next year.

[Wizzy]

Guardian Angles rule!!!!!

Acute or obtuse angles?!?!?

Congratulations - and well done EVERYONE!!

[Mayfly]

It's not down for me Helen.

Wizzy you are added to my GIT list - post amended.....

[Checkflaps]

really chuffed.

glad I predicted again that she wouldn't make it

Now then, whilst this might secure here immediate future - perhaps, the next few months will see the organisation take a hard look at themseles and look to see IF they are the right people to take it all on from here. If they are, brilliant. If not, we now have the time and breathing space to do something about it. I'm not saying either way as I am not qualified to do so - that will need to be their decision (and the board's)

Anyway - happy face today. Glad my fiver in the raffle on Sunday tipped the scales.

G

[Hihonyr8811]

It's working now

Maybe I just broke it for a second

[Code monkey]

Well, well, well - so they've pulled a rabbit out of the hat again! Brilliant news and many many thanks to our benefactor. I would be fascinated to know if this donation came out of the blue or if it was due to some good work from a Trust / Club / Forum member?


BUT - please don't let's think that this is what the Trust needs in the longer term. Dr P has stated (again) that the cycle of last-ditch pledging appeals cannot be sustained and we must endeavour to keep up the pressure to ensure that his undertaking is met. I don't want to diminish the impact of this fantastic news but remember it is 'fantastic' and hence not sustainable.

Meantime, lets all look forward to seeing and hearing the old girl strutting her stuff for another year (at least!).

Dave

[Sploosher]

Cool
But now changes need to be made or at least a funding drive for next year and the years beyond has to start NOW .
Yes i am going to post this on TVOC too

All we have to do now is persuade the trust and our leaders NOT TO LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN

[Yorkie]

Cool
But now changes need to be made or at least a funding drive for next year and the years beyond has to start NOW .
Yes i am going to post this on TVOC too

All we have to do now is persuade the trust and our leaders NOT TO LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN

I think this should be a good point for people within the trust to stop and take a good hard look at what has happened and what should have happened and act accordingly.

[Mackrick]

Guardian Angels rule!!!!!

Nicely put MF

[Spitfire]

What amazing last minute news
Wonder how long this has been in the pipeline - and as a lifelong sceptic I wonder why £458,000 so precisely - not 450 or 455 or even 558 .... but 458 - it just seems so odd Still best regards to him/her whoever he/she is

But has been alluded to already above let's hope that this year we see a concerted effort by those on high to ensure we are NOT here again next year.

Also .....that wonderful definition and sketch by Monthy Python....

Déjà vu - That incredible sensation that you've seen or heard something before .....

Our main drive this year will be to finally put XH558 onto a firm business footing, with many new income generation schemes: Educational Lectures, New Merchandise, Regional Sponsorship, Competitions, and of course, an ongoing Annual Appeal. We must acknowledge we will continue to need public support, but gear the appeal over the whole year.

Déjà vu - That incredible sensation that you've seen or heard something before .....

Our main drive this year will be to finally put XH558 onto a firm business footing, with many new income generation schemes: Educational Lectures, New Merchandise, Regional Sponsorship, Competitions, and of course, an ongoing Annual Appeal. We must acknowledge we will continue to need public support, but gear the appeal over the whole year.

Déjà vu - That incredible sensation that you've seen or heard something before .....

Our main drive this year will be to finally put XH558 onto a firm business footing, with many new income generation schemes: Educational Lectures, New Merchandise, Regional Sponsorship, Competitions, and of course, an ongoing Annual Appeal. We must acknowledge we will continue to need public support, but gear the appeal over the whole year.

[Yorkie]

Must phone the wife and find out where she put the spare £458,000.00 I'm sure it was under the bed



All in all great news though,

Now to book tickets for RIAT

[Xplumberlives]

What amazing last minute news
Wonder how long this has been in the pipeline - and as a lifelong sceptic I wonder why £458,000 so precisely - not 450 or 455 or even 558 .... but 458 - it just seems so odd Still best regards to him/her whoever he/she is

Just perhaps because it equates to $700000!

[Wizzy]

What amazing last minute news
Wonder how long this has been in the pipeline - and as a lifelong sceptic I wonder why £458,000 so precisely - not 450 or 455 or even 558 .... but 458 - it just seems so odd Still best regards to him/her whoever he/she is

Just perhaps because it equates to $700000!

Dan4th?!?!?

[Mayfly]

THB honest if I could 'splash the cash' It's the sort of thing I would do!!! but I would have added 58p on the end

A big thank you to whom ever for this generous donation.

[Froggyhollow]

That is just brilliant news Thanks in bucket loads to the big donor and to everyone else who did their bit

I echo the view that these last minute appeals have to stop - some serious funding plans have to be made and then adhered to - I remember all sorts of promises being made to club members that have never been kept. If the promises to club members are not honoured any sponsor having a look will be aware of this.

The only strategy to deal with funding shortfalls each year seems to be trying to panic people into giving money; due to this approach I ran out of enthusiasm this year to give any more than my monthly donation (along with a limited ability to donate compared to previous years) & I've supported 558 for years & she blew my mind again at Goodwood this year.
So, if someone with my level of interest starts to loose enthusiasm its not a surprise that this appeal was not as succesful as previous years.

Hope that the talented people deeply involved with 558's future can succeed and their commitment & energy will overcome the obstacles in their path.

I'm now looking forward to another year of being thrilled by the majesty & grace of an aircraft that provokes jaw droppers wherever she appears - you can feel the emotion in people when they see her strut her stuff.