Opportunity to get young people interested in aviation

Shannon Aviation Museum is launching a fundraising drive amongst local businesses, particularly those engaged in the aviation sector, to enable its ambitious expansion plans to become a reality, following on from a recent allocation of funds by Government.

Under the expansion plan, the Museum, which is a charitable institution, is planning to extend its range of services geared to encourage greater awareness of the aviation sector as a career option.

Shannon Chamber has welcomed the announcement that the Museum was approved for €160,000 funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme by the Dept. of Rural and Community Development.

However, in order to bring to fruition in 2019 its plans to renovate and extend the facility by 4,000 sq ft leading to enhanced attractions and visitor services, the Museum needs to source supplementary sponsorship funds from local businesses as an immediate priority.

“Shannon Aviation Museum has made a significant contribution to the local economy since its inception in 2007,” said Helen Downes, Shannon Chamber CEO.

“It has also used its facilities to inspire and nurture future aviation professionals through various initiatives, such as annual participation in Engineers Week events, school tours for primary and secondary pupils, and transition year (TY) academies.”

The Museum is now appealing to local aviation and aerospace companies, in particular, for financial assistance.

Local companies can benefit in many ways from supporting its fundraising drive, as Jane Magill, a director of the Museum, summarises below:

• Demonstrate their corporate commitment to fostering an interest in the aviation sector and in STEM subjects amongst young people.
• By sponsoring a primary or secondary school Aviation Discovery Tour, for instance, they can potentially directly benefit their own company’s future recruitment plans.
• Opportunity to be associated with other educational initiatives, e.g. putting forward candidates for TY Academy programmes, or staff volunteer programmes.
• Reward valued staff with Annual Family Aviation Museum Membership.
• Discounts on Aviation Museum gift store educational activities and programmes.
• Quarterly newsletter with special offers for members.

Jane Magill will be making contact with individual companies in the wider Shannon area over the coming weeks to follow up on this fundraising drive and to elaborate further on the benefits for businesses.

The Chamber urges companies to give Jane a good hearing and to consider seriously how your company can reap real benefits from supporting this worthy local charitable body.

We in Lufthansa Technik Shannon have supported the Museum and have sponsored their participation in Engineers week for the last 5 years enabling over 1500 young people to visit the facility from local primary and secondary schools. The facilities that this organisation provide to the local region are truly remarkable and add significant and lasting value to Shannon Town as a tourist attraction both visually and economically.  It is also a great asset to the Aerospace community, teachers and students and has an important role in encouraging the young people who walk through it’s doors to consider a career in aerospace.

Pat Shine, Managing Director, CEO of Lufthansa Technik Shannon Limited  

 “Over the past three years, GECAS has sponsored the participation of up to 80 young people in a bi- annual week-long Transition Year Aviation Academy organised by Shannon Aviation Museum. We view this sponsorship as an important means of giving back to the local community while helping to generate heightened awareness of the aviation sector as a career option.”

Sean Flannery, EVP & General Manager GECAS Ltd