Prospect Air Traffic Controllers embark on epic motorcycle ride

Four members from Prospect’s Air Traffic Control Officers’ branch are embarking upon on an epic motorcycle ride from Aberdeen to Gibraltar this April.

The ‘Big Tour’ riders with Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy

During the course of their journey they will be visiting all 24 NATS and NATS Solutions Air Traffic Control Units along the route and will be raising money for two charities: Prostate Cancer UK and Aerobility, which provides the experience of flight to the disabled community.

The riders, who are all experienced long-distance motorcycle riders, are:

• Richard Fell
• Harvey McVicar
• Shaun Bellairs-Wray
• Wayne Clarke

The approximate 3,000 mile ‘Big Tour’ is set to start in Aberdeen on Sunday, 14 April and they are scheduled to arrive in Gibraltar on Wednesday, 24 April.

Raise awareness and raise money

In May 2023 an ex-staff member from Aberdeen Control Tower passed away from prostate cancer and the whole team in Aberdeen, resolved to raise awareness of prostate cancer across NATS.

Among them was Wayne Clarke, an Aberdeen-based controller, who was friends with the colleague who passed away.

“I contacted the other three members, who are based in Hampshire at Swanwick Centre, and they were keen to join together to create the challenge. As a team we wanted to highlight the issue of this disease among men and raise awareness,” says Wayne.

“Richard, Harvey and Shaun and I have been friends through being Prospect ATCOs Branch Union Reps at unit and Branch Executive Levels for years.”

Wayne added: “There are about 155,000 Prospect members. Imagine if each member gave just £1 plus Gift Aid, we would raise £193,750 for our two 2 charities.  That would be amazing.”

Find out more about ‘The Big Tour’ and how to make a donation to Prostate Cancer UK and Aerobility on their website: www.24in24.co.uk