British Airways Captain and OW Alexander Jolly, is involved in a new charity; Project Wingman that aims to support frontline NHS staff through the coronavirus pandemic.
The independent, NHS support initiative launched by members of the airline community that gained charitable status last month, was set up to give crew members from UK airlines the opportunity to contribute to the national effort.
The charity has enlisted almost 5000 volunteer pilots and cabin crew working together in over 50 specially built Project Wingman First Class Lounges in hospitals across the UK. Hospitals provide a ‘support area’ with sufficient space to maintain social distancing.
Jolly, Project Wingman’s Team Leader attended Whitgift from 1995 – 2002 and has 12 years of commercial aviation experience flying to over 100 destinations across Europe and the Middle East and has been an airline captain for over four years.
The uniformed cabin crew, all trained in human factors and how to communicate with colleagues in stressful situations, invite frontline workers to join them in Wingman First Class Lounges where they serve refreshments and offer understanding of the challenges working in in highly disciplined and safety focused environments.
The scheme, that is not affiliated with any airline or NHS trust, has been well received and gained support from a broad range of businesses.
Co-Founder, Captain Dave Fielding said “We’ve been receiving tremendous support and generous donations from an ever increasing number of organisations and the move to charitable status will enable us to remain self sufficient and to create evermore Wingman First Class Lounges across hospitals in the UK throughout this pandemic and onwards into the future.”
“Our crews are trained to care and look after people and while there is less flying, this is a great way for them to adapt those skills to support these NHS heroes.”
