Cllr Virginia Edwyn-Jones has successfully completed her Mayor’s Charity Wing Walk challenge, helping to raise a total of £5,100 for Shaftesbury Youth Club through a combination of fundraising events held during her mayoral year 2025-26.

The wing walk, which was her own fundraising idea, saw Cllr Edwyn-Jones take to the skies on the wing of a bi-plane in support of her chosen charity. Originally scheduled to take place at Compton Abbas Airfield on 2nd May, the flight had to be postponed due to weather conditions. Undeterred, Cllr Edwyn-Jones secured a new date at Henstridge Airfield and successfully completed the challenge on Friday 29th May.

A brave challenge

While many fundraising events take place firmly on the ground, Cllr Edwyn-Jones chose a challenge that required considerable bravery.

Taking part in a wing walk on a moving bi-plane is not something most people would volunteer for, but Cllr Edwyn-Jones was determined to do something memorable to raise awareness and funds for Shaftesbury Youth Club.

Her determination to complete the challenge, even after the original date was postponed, helped generate enthusiasm for the appeal and encouraged widespread support.

Community support exceeds expectations

Support for the Mayor’s Charity appeal exceeded all expectations. Ahead of the wing walk, donations had already surpassed the original fundraising target of £1,000, and reached more than £2,500 thanks to the generosity of residents and supporters.

The remarkable level of support demonstrated the community’s commitment to helping local young people and ensuring that Shaftesbury Youth Club can continue its valuable work.

Cllr Edwyn-Jones said, “I’m thrilled to have been able to raise so much for the Youth Club – it’s testament to the place it has in our community, to the fondness with which it is remembered by those who used it when they were kids and the number of those people who send their own children now.  It is incredibly important to the town and we look forward to improving the facilities and opportunities it can offer our youngsters in the near future.”

Mayor presents charity cheque to Shaftesbury Youth Club

On Monday 15th June, Cllr Edwyn-Jones visited Shaftesbury Youth Club to present a Mayor’s Charity cheque for £5,100.
The total represents funds raised through both the Mayor’s Quiz Night and the Wing Walk challenge, bringing together months of fundraising activity in support of the charity.

The donation will help support the Youth Club’s ongoing work and the opportunities it provides for young people in the town.

Thank you to everyone who supported the appeal

Shaftesbury Town Council would like to thank everyone who donated, attended the quiz night, shared information about the Mayor’s Charity, and supported the Mayor throughout the challenge.

Through the combined efforts of supporters and the Mayor’s commitment to her chosen charity, a significant contribution has been made to support the future work of Shaftesbury Youth Club.