chris burwell
The Paul Hopkins MND Association Fightback Fund
Fundraising for Motor Neurone Disease Association
Story
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Working with Paul, we've been raising money for the MNDA throughout 2014 with various challenges. Sadly, Paul passed away on August 31. We hope to continue to raise funds in his name as we remember a truly remarkable pilot and a wonderful person.
In August, 7 members of 1(F) Squadron RAF set off to hike the 'Chemin de la Liberte' across the Pyrenees from France into Spain. This challenging trek follows a famous WWII escape route and commemorates the several hundred who used it to escape Nazi-occupied Europe and the Sqn hopes that it will also raise money for Paul's fund and the MND Association.
On 24-25 July, Will Burwell (age 10) walked 22 miles of the Viking Way over 2 days from the Humber Bridge to Caistor, to help raise funds for the MND Association. He was accompanied by his Mum and Dad and the family cocker spaniels Locksley and Hector. Will wanted to do his bit to support his Dad's best mate, Paul, and hopes you will sponsor him on this walk.
Paul has MND. Will's walk is one of a number fundraising activities by several people this year to raise money for his fightback fund. Paul and Chris (Will's Dad) joined the RAF together as pilots in 1969. So far, we have:
- Cycled 275 miles around the breweries of Denmark
- Walked over 100 miles, climbed more than 30,000ft and crossed cols up to 2699m through the Alps on the GR5 long distance path.
Paul has an outstanding background as a pilot: after almost 10 years flying Harriers in the UK & Germany, he trained as a test pilot moving to BAE Systems in 1985. During his time with the Company, Paul was involved in test flying on the Harrier GR5, Hawk 100/200, Tornado GR1, ADV & GR4, Gripen and Typhoon. He became Chief Test Pilot in 1997. In 2004, Paul was awarded the Guild of Air Pilots & Navigators 'Derry & Richards Memorial Medal' for his contribution to test flying. Leaving flying the following year, Paul was involved in project & marketing work in UK & India for his final 8 years with the Company. Shortly before his retirement in 2012, Paul was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
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