AN Easter Space Race has raised hundreds of pounds to help launch an aspiring RAF pilot’s trip to America to attend a NASA course.
The community of Woodland rallied round on Easter Monday to take part in the fun run and raised £579 to help towards sending Isaac Clerk on the once-in-a-life time adventure later this year.
The 16-year-old Staindrop Academy student needs to raise £1,500 to qualify for the trip, and along with £720 raised through an online fundraiser, has almost reached the target.
Race organiser Tim Smith said: “Isaac’s space race went off very well thanks to the invaluable help of Simon, Peter, Becky, Karen, Lesley, Pete and Liz, Trevor, Fiona, Maisie, Celia and all who participated and donated to this amazing opportunity for a young RAF air cadet in our village. It looks like we are going to smash Isaac’s fund total.”
About 50 athletes took part in the run which followed the “Woodland Triangle” with the start and finish at the Edge Hotel.
Rory Hart set a new course record for the triangle completing the race in 18.2mins, followed by his father Alistair who held the previous record. Kyle Mitt came third.
The ladies’ race was won by Abbi Mason, followed by Jane Hart.
Lucinda Ewin, who completed couch to 5k training in six weeks, came third in a time of 25mins.
Along with the run, a variety of activities and competitions were put on by Woodland Community Group for people to enjoy, including a bake off, pet show, games on the green Easter egg hunt, quizzes and a fun karaoke in the evening.
Race medals were sponsored by A&B Boilers and Copley Garage, while raffle prizes were supplied by Hallgarth Hotel and Country Club, ROF59 Aycliffe, Mcfarlane’s Butchers, Cross Keys Inn Hamsterley and the Edge Hotel.
Mr Smith said: “The pet show on the green was a great success as were the Easter picture and Easter bonnet competitions in the hotel.”
Isaac, an RAF cadet, is overjoyed at progress to his target.
He said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will help me to achieve my life goal of one day becoming a pilot in the RAF.
“Whilst at NASA we will be developing knowledge and lessons to share with other cadets as well as setting up contacts in the USA as the long-term plan is that these trips to NASA will be repeated for others as our squadron’s new aspiration is to make space for everyone.”
While on the course he will take part in astronaut training, including a zero gravity flight and a G-force simulation, as well as learning to drive a Mars rover vehicle.
People can boost Isaac over his target by visiting go
fundme.com/f/tza86m-my-journey-to-nasa.
