04/09/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

 We have moved to a new web address - please visit http://www.freedomintheair.org -

Posted in Disability news | Print | No Comments »

10/08/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

Yesterday morning, I had one of the most special telephone conversations in my life. I was speaking with Suzi Duncan who is a pilot, instructor, and developed and designed the Vision Air hand control for pilots with lower limb disabilities. I was a little tearful when she told me that she would be Freedom in the Air’s patron. She is a great symbol for aviation and for helping people with disabilities in aviation. Suzi is one of my heroes and i know will inspire and motivate many more pilots to come.

In 1997 Suzi received the “Nancy Bird Award for, the most significant contribution to aviation by a woman of Australasia”. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Patrons and Ambassadors, Disability news | Print | No Comments »

05/08/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

On Sunday 3rd August, I went for a local VFR flight to Fenland, flying over Connington, then back to Cranfield. It was a great flight. Being on my own and enjoying the freedom of flight.

Once parked and back at Terry’s club house, I met with Symeon. He is an Aeronautical engineer with the Greek Airforce and has been at Cranfield University studying MSc Aeronautical Engineering. He is one of the student who has dedicated their final project to designing and making a hand control for pilots with lower limb disabilities. Trem is the other student who is working on a system for the PS28, whilst Symeon is working on a system for the C172. Both students are now in the manufacturing stage and both designed are scheduled for testing at the end of August. Here is a short slide show of the design for C172. In this show you can see us with the Union which i use for the C172. Symeon’s idea is an evolution from that design. Later in the week, we will upload a sneak view of what Trem has been developing.

Posted in Disability news, Hand Controls | Print | No Comments »

24/07/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

The Rehabilitation Centres For Children in Kolkata is where I once underwent 2 years of corrective surgery to give me a chance to be independent. A few weeks ago, i went back there to make a documentary for Al Jazeera English about my life.

RCFC was established by some amazing people due to the inspiration and back-breaking work of a British nurse, Jane Webb OBE. Jane died a few years back, shortly after fulfilling her dream of becoming an Indian citizen.

RCFC is her legacy to the world and I owe so much to her, her vision and all the doctors, physiotherapists, teachers, calliper makers, surgeons, fundraisers, administrators and volunteers who have given their time either for free or for a pittance to RCFC.

Since getting back to London, I have been chatting to Dr William Bunting who is a surgeon and has spent a lot of time at RCFC. We both have the same meeting of minds as to how we both wish to help them grow and raise funding to. Here is an article he Dr.Bunting wrote:

APPROACH TO ORTHOPAEDIC CARE OF DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN AROUND KOLKATA.

Rehabilitation Centres for Children (RCFC) was established 35yrs ago,in the southern suburbs of Kolkata by Jane Webb,an English nurse nd has grown in size and scope since then, its facilities are now extended to the children of the rural poor in Orissa,West Bengal and even Bangladesh. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Disability news, Good causes | Print | No Comments »

16/07/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

Italian Vogue publishers Conde Nast heard that I went to India to take photographs of my roots for Full Circle Exhibition, commissioned by Rotary International.  Italian Vogue are going to write a feature about polio eradication using some of the photos. This is will be for their Oct issue which is great as it coincides with the exhibition, world polio day (oct 24th)!

Posted in Disability news | Print | No Comments »

16/07/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

This video shows the press we have generated since April 2007..new challenges are ahead of us, but nothing ventured nothing gained.

Posted in Disability news, Media | Print | No Comments »

15/07/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

Had it not been for CINI, which is run by Samir Choudhury, chances are i would have never met my mother Patricia. During my visit to Kolkata, i had the pleasure of visiting Samir and seeing what they are up to.

The Child In Need Institute (CINI) works to break down the cycle of poverty, malnutrition and ill health and provides basic educational services to some of India’s poorest communities. Its vision is of an India where children are able to reach their full potential, regardless of their gender, caste, class or ethnicity. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Disability news, Good causes | Print | No Comments »

12/07/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

Don’t miss this chance to meet the sports who are coming together in a hope to find future Paralympic sporting stars.

So, if you think you have got what it takes and you meet the minimum standards below, log onto www.paralympics.co.uk fill in and submit the online ‘talent questionnaire’.

lternatively contact Project Officer: Tabo.Huntley@paralympics.org.uk
N.B Final deadline for entries, Thursday 17 July 2008 with attendance by pre-arrangement only.

Posted in Disability news | Print | No Comments »

12/07/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

Flying without wings
Bedfordshire County Council, in partnership with Spurgeons, Beds Rural Communities Charity and ‘Freedom in the Air’ arranged for a group of 10 young carers to take part in a flying day at Cranfield Airfield on Saturday 28th June 2008.

Click on the logo above or to read the rest of the story follow this link to read an online article about our recent Freedom Wings event on June 28th at Cranfield.

Posted in Disability news, Good causes, Media | Print | No Comments »

09/07/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

On October 13th Full Circle will be launched at the Menier Chocolate factory London. The show is in aid of Rotary International’s vision for a polio free world. Here is a slideshow of the mad mad mad but wonderful week i have just had in Kolkata, my birthplace.

Posted in Rotary International, Disability news, images | Print | No Comments »

08/07/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

I had the pleasure of booking some acts for this years Glastonbury Music Festival, The Paddingtons whose rock n roll lief started with us at Poptones blew the crowd away.. seems like they became a big fan of Tony Benn

The band will be headlining for us again at Peace of Art show celebrating Nobel Peace Laureate Joseph Rotblats 100th birthday on US election day NOv 4th 2008..

Comment from the Glastonbury message boards:

“I was in the Leftfield for Marcus Brigstock, very very funny guy, Tony Benn, absolute legend and the Paddingtons as in your face as ever.”

“As if all that mirth wasn’t enough we’re treated to The Paddingtons!”

Posted in Disability news | Print | No Comments »

08/07/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

The last thing that i did before going to Kolkata was organise Freedom Wings for young carers - the first mail i opened when i got home is this lovely thank you letter from the charity…

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Freedom Wings, Disability news | Print | No Comments »

08/07/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

Hindustan Times, front page story, 2nd July 2008

(it does not matter where in the world you are, but journalists still make mistakes even if you give them the press pack with biogs etc and correct facts, this story has a few things wrong) 

Posted in Disability news, Media | Print | No Comments »