Blue Islands has chosen Riding for the Disabled Guernsey Group and Jersey-based Helping Wings to be the next two charities to benefit from the local airline’s onboard collections – after its 100-strong Channel Island based team was asked to nominate which charities they wanted to support.

In October, Autism Guernsey and Autism Jersey benefitted from the initiative, which sees the airline ask customers on all flights throughout the month to donate any spare change. During October £2,001.78 was raised.

Blue Islands CEO, Rob Veron, said it was important to him the Blue Islands team were able to choose the next two charities.

For November we wanted the Blue Islands team to have the opportunity to raise money for charities which are close to their hearts. After reading the submissions, I was really moved by the Helping Wings and Riding for the Disabled nominations. We hope to repeat October’s success, and I want to thank our customers for their extreme generosity so far.

Cabin Crew member Sophie Mignot nominated Riding for the Disabled Guernsey Group, because of a personal connection.

When my sister was alive, she used to ride the ponies to help her posture. So it’s great Blue Islands and its customers will be helping this excellent charity.

Riding for the Disabled Guernsey Group chairman Heidi Ephgrave said:

We are delighted Blue Islands has chosen us as one of its charities to support during November. Not only will this enable RDA to help more disabled riders locally to experience the many benefits horse riding provides, it also helps raise our profile.

Helping Wings chairman Eveline Hawkin said:

We are very grateful to Blue Islands for choosing us as its charity for November. We are a volunteer driven charity and all monies collected go directly to the work we do with the disabled and the disadvantaged of our island – to help them experience the exhilaration and fulfilment of flying in a light aircraft. We are delighted that Riding for the Disabled, Guernsey Group have also been chosen as although we work in different fields, our ultimate aims are similar.

Mr Veron said the airline wanted to help children’s charities next, and would shortly be asking for the public’s help in selecting which charities would benefit from onboard collections in December.