Wick John O'Groats Airport and the Local Community

Wick airport works hand in hand with the local community and is often used as a transport hub for those arriving or departing from the infamous John O'Groats to Land's End expeditions.

Children in Need
In the last twelve months Wick airport has seen the arrival of Pudsey and helped him on his way to raise funds locally. On Tuesday 17 November 2009, Ben Moulton and Mandi Lawn travelled from Norwich to Wick via Aberdeen and returning on the same day as part of a challenge for St Mary's CE Primary School, Roughton (near Norwich), in aid of Children in Need.

Fresson Trust
The Fresson Trust provided a photocopy of the pilots' logbook of the page in which the first airmail to Wick was entered and was flown by the Capt E .E. Fresson. The airport has added it to the display in the terminal beside the first Airmail envelopes which already hang and this is in recognition of the 75th Anniversary of the first flight.

Wick Firemen
Local fire fighters from Wick's Fire Service supported Prostrate Cancer in November 2009 by growing moustaches for the whole month and naming the month "Movember Moustache"!. In total, they raised in excess of £835 and the team consisted of 15 colleagues from the Fire Service in Wick, Flybe colleagues, the administration team in Wick and some other local colleagues and friends. The photograph shows some of the fire fighters just before the end of the challenge as they were about to shave off the moustaches. (From left, L/FF Arthur Robertson, FF Trevor Arnold, FF Ivor Campbell, FF Alex Lamb, FF Robert Johnstone, FF Lewis Campbell and Sub Officer Dougie Cook)

Deloitte Ride Across Britain
In June this year, up to 650 people will be descending into the area to complete the "Deloitte Ride Across Britain" that will take place between 12th - 20th June 2010. The event is being held on behalf of Threshold Sport. The riders, who will come from all across the UK, will be looking to make their way to John O'Groats on the 11th June and Flybe franchise carrier Loganair has added three extra flights to meet the demand to support the event. For more information, please visit www.rideacrossbritain.com.

Air Discount Scheme
The Scottish Government's Air Discount Scheme (ADS) provides a 40 per cent reduction on air fares between Scotland's remotest communities and cities. ADS applies to people whose main residence is any of the following:

• Western Isles
• Orkney
• Shetland
• Islay and Jura
• Caithness and North West Sutherland

It includes students from these areas who are studying away from home.

For more information on ADS, eligibility criteria and to order an application pack, please visit the Air Discount Scheme website www.airdiscountscheme.com.