Charity Aerobility Raises $132K at Annual Ball

British aviation charity Aerobility, which offers people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in aviation, raised £101,000 ($132,500) through an auction at its recent Aviators’ Ball in London. One of Aerobility's biggest annual fundraising events, the 2019 ball gathered more than 400 people from both civil and military aviation.

Featuring more than 100 items ranging from signed books to biplane flights, the auction drew record donations. NATS, 2Excel, British Airways, and Breitling UK were among the organizations supporting the event. “In light of Brexit, 2019 has been an uncertain time for everybody, within and beyond the aviation industry, so it's wonderful to be able to confound expectations,” said Aerobility CEO Mike Miller Smith. “This is a vital source of income for the charity.”

Aerobility aviator Stuart Miller, who became paralyzed from the waist down at the age of eight, called the organization life-changing. “I came to Aerobility purposeless and disappointed in life. Aerobility has enabled me to become a qualified pilot, increased my confidence, and encouraged me to take on new goals. Now I work for Aerobility."

Aerobility uses specially adapted light aircraft flying from various airfields around the UK every year to support more 600 people with physical disabilities, learning difficulties, mental health conditions, and sensory impairments. The program enables participants to learn to fly, increase independence, and gain employment in aviation.