ONE YOUNG member of a Prince’s Trust Team programme based in Dundee will have the thrill of a lifetime next week when he flies in the back seat of an RAF Tornado fighter.

The flight will be linked to a charity fund-raising event organised by 56(R) Squadron, RAF Leuchars. The squadron is holding the Firebird Invitational event over two days at Leuchars and at Gleneagles Hotel which it hopes will raise more than £100,000 for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and the Prince’s Trust.

While corporate teams, who have donated towards the charities, take part in a golf tournament at Gleneagles 56(R) Squadron will host individuals from the Prince’s Trust and schools in Leuchars, offering them an insight into service life on an active fighter station. For one member of the Prince’s Trust team personal development programme, run under the aegis of Dundee College, the highlight will be that thrilling Tornado flight.

Meanwhile the Firebird Invitational teams will enjoy a gala dinner at Gleneagles Hotel before spending the second day at RAF Leuchars for a “military experience day.”

Another highlight will be the participation of the Ford World Rally Championship who have offered to give each of the corporate players a “blistering three-mile blast” around the station.

Geraldine Gammell, director of the Prince’s Trust Scotland, said, “We cannot thank RAF Leuchars enough for their fund- raising efforts. It is thanks to their support and the generosity of the various corporates involved in the challenge that the trust can continue to support young people into education, employment or training.”