PRESS RELEASE
In 1944 French airmen stationed at RAF Elvington near York made toys for local children for Christmas. Now the Yorkshire Air Museum – which is based on the former site of the airbase – is hoping visitors will show the same generosity by taking part in their ‘Gift of Giving’ scheme. The Museum has partnered with Martin House Children’s Hospice at Boston Spa – a charity that provides hospice care for children and young people – and Refugee Action York.
Museum visitors will be able to buy specific gifts from the shop (with no profit to the Museum) which will be wrapped up and delivered to the hospice. This mirrors the spirit of the French officers from 346 & 347 RAF squadrons – stationed at the bomber base in WW2 – who spent the days before Christmas 1944 handcrafting wooden toys for the children of York.
Martha Morley, Visitor Experience Manager at the Yorkshire Air Museum, said: “We’re trying to reflect the same generosity shown by the French airmen based here during the war, who went out of their way to help the children of York have a good Christmas. It’s been great to partner with Martin House and Refugee Action York, who do such a tremendous job.”
Michelle Ford, Regional Fundraiser at Martin House Children’s Hospice, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with The Yorkshire Air Museum. Martin House Children’s Hospice relies almost entirely on voluntary donations, so this support is invaluable, as it allows us to continue to be there for children, young people, and their families when they need us most, helping us to make every Christmas count.”
The Gift of Giving at Yorkshire Air Museum is up and running in the museum shop. Anyone wishing to contribute can also do so online, via the museum’s Enthuse donations page:
https://yorkshireairmuseum.enthuse.com/giving
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
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