Gateway Gallery Launch

9th April 2008

Today saw the opening of The Gateway Gallery at London Luton Airport. 

The Gateway Gallery has been delivered in partnership with the Luton Cultural Service Trust, with a view to creating exposure for local artists within the Airport arrivals area, as well as giving airport passengers greater access to local artistic talent.

The Gallery is one of 20 community projects the Airport have committed to support through 2008, as part of the Airport’s Community Engagement Strategy. The Strategy sets out the airport’s formal commitments to the community up to 2012 and focuses on three action areas, ‘A Better Environment’, ‘A Vibrant Neighbourhood’ and ‘A Growing Economy’, identifying priority programmes in each and outlining priorities for the next five years.

Janis Coles, who is a member of the Artists Network Bedfordshire, is the first artist to exhibit in the Gateway Gallery. Her exhibition work consists of photographs of flowers and plants. She likes to explore effects of light, which in nature are often transient or overlooked. These are either captured in natural light by waiting for the correct lighting conditions or she replicates these in a studio, often finding more detail using macro photography and unusual perspectives.

Simon Earles London Luton Airport’s General Manager: Planning & Corporate Social Responsibility said ‘We are delighted to give local artists the opportunity to display their work in the Airport, not only does it provide great exposure for the artist, it enhances the passenger experience. The Gateway Gallery is one of many projects we hope to support during 2008’.

 

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For more information, please contact:
London Luton Airport Press Office 07714 728035

 

Notes to Editors:
London Luton Airport is one of the UK’s largest UK airports with passenger numbers nearing ten million in 2007, an increase of nearly 400 per cent over the last decade. Employing close to 500 staff, the airport is a major economic driver for the region, as well as a major base for ‘low cost’ or ‘no frills’ air travel.

EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Monarch Scheduled, Aer Arann, Silverjet, Thomsonfly, SkyEurope, First Choice, XL Airways, Flybe and Thomas Cook operate from the airport, departing to over 90 destinations including services to Europe, Africa and North America.

The airport is operated and developed by a consortium of which Abertis Infraestructuras, a leading European infrastructure provider, is a 90 per cent majority shareholder and Aena Internacional, the international business arm of Aena- the Spanish national airport and air traffic control organisation, is a 10 per cent shareholder.

In January 2008 London Luton Airport launched its Community Engagement Strategy, which sets out the Airport’s formal commitments to the community up to 2012. The strategy focuses on three action areas, ‘A Better Environment’, ‘A Vibrant Neighbourhood’ and ‘A Growing Economy’, identifying priority programmes in each one.

As well as outlining the Airport’s priorities for the next five years, the document also summarises its commitments for 2008, which include the publishing of a revised environmental policy, practical support for at least 20 local community projects and the development of a schools outreach programme.

The Luton Cultural Service Trust will curate the gallery in conjunction with the Gateway Gallery, part of the Luton Hat Factory based in Luton.
 

Community Relations Executive

1st April 2008

London Luton Airport today announces the appointment of Adam Divney to the newly created role of Community Relations Executive. This appointment underpins the Airport’s commitment to its Community Engagement Strategy, launched in January 2008, which set out the Airport’s formal commitments to the community up to 2012. 

The strategy focuses on three action areas, ‘A Better Environment’, ‘A Vibrant Neighbourhood’ and ‘A Growing Economy’ whilst identifying priority programmes in each one. As well as outlining the Airport’s priorities for the next five years, the document also summarises its commitments for 2008, which include the publishing of a revised environmental policy, practical support for at least 20 local community projects and the development of a schools outreach programme.

Luton-born Divney joins London Luton Airport from GLL, the UK’s largest not-for-profit trust with a portfolio of over 70 leisure centres within the M25 area, where he managed two leisure centres within the London boroughs. He holds an MA in Leisure Management and a BA (Hons) in Sports & Fitness, both achieved at the University of Luton, now the University of Bedfordshire and brings a wealth of experience to the role working within a community environment with both the general public and local government.

Adam, whose appointment sees him return to his home town, comments that the new role is “a unique and challenging opportunity which will allow me to utilise the skills I have acquired to develop the Community Engagement Strategy for London Luton Airport and therefore contribute to my local community”.
 

Charity Of The Year

12th February 2008

LONDON LUTON AIRPORT PLEDGES YEAR OF SUPPORT

London Luton Airport has announced it will be supporting the East Anglian Air Ambulance as its chosen charity for 2008. The campaign will be launched with an initial donation of £10,000 which the Airport's Charity Committee hopes to multiply by developing further fundraising opportunities involving its employees, business partners and passengers.

The air ambulances operated by the East Anglian Air Ambulance provide cover 365 days a year across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk; an area covering approximately 11% of the total area of England.

The East Anglian region, considered the most rural area in England with accidents sometimes occurring in remote locations not easily accessible by road, needs the air ambulance service more than ever. With the region also featuring major road networks such as the A14 and sections of the A1 and M1 it's not surprising that attending road traffic accidents already makes up more than 50% of its work.

When treating victims of trauma or medical emergencies, the chance of them making a full recovery is greatly increased if they receive definitive medical care within the first hour, known as the 'Golden Hour'. Equipped with the latest medical equipment and with a top speed of 155 miles per hour, the air ambulance can reach the scene of emergencies quickly, enabling its life saving crew to attend to patients and stabilise them ready for transport to hospital by land - or by air if necessary.

The East Anglian Air Ambulance is the third busiest air ambulance charity in the UK, flying an average of 3 missions per day. Simon Earles, London Luton Airport's General Manager: Planning & Corporate Social Responsibility said "The air ambulance provides a vital emergency service for our region so we are delighted to assist with the fundraising effort and, through our Charity Committee, raise awareness to get the whole Airport involved".

Simon Gray, Executive Director of the East Anglian Air Ambulance, commented: "This is a fantastic offer of support from London Luton Airport and we are absolutely delighted that the Charity Committee has decided to support our work this year. We look forward to working with them closely during 2008.

Together, we'll make a real difference to the outcomes of some of those in our region unfortunate enough to suffer an accident or medical emergency this year."

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For more information, please contact:
London Luton Airport Press Office 07714 728035

The East Anglian Air Ambulance runs two fully medically equipped helicopters - code-named Anglia One and Anglia Two - serving the people of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, providing a life-saving resource and, if required, transporting them to hospital within minutes.

THE FACTS

• Receives NO Government or National Lottery funding.
• 76.8% of all money raised by the charity is spent on helicopter operations and medical equipment.
• £2.4m just to keep two helicopters flying, rises to £3m with the purchase of suits, helmets, helipads, fundraising and administration costs, this equates to approximately £1 per person, per year.
• Anglia One and Two cruise at 150 mph, reaching patients quickly and delivering high-level clinical care in the field.
• Both helicopters are equipped with a special stretcher, defibrillator/multi-oxygen in the blood, twelve lead ECG and Respiratory ventilator.

 
HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Organise an event.
• Donate your tax refund. (our Charity's unique code is WAN99RG).
• One-off or regular donations or pledges.
• Remember The East Anglian Air Ambulance in your Will.
• For an application form to join The East Anglian Air Ambulance Lottery, Gift Aid, Give as you Earn or to simply offer your help as a volunteer, please telephone 08450 669 999.
• To keep the essential facility of the Air Ambulance flying in the East Anglian and Bedfordshire region, support of generous sponsorship and fund-raising is essential.
   

CONTACT DETAILS

Charity 08450 669 999
Lottery 01603 489400
Facsimile 01603 269322
Website www.eaaa.org.uk
Email info@eaaa.org.uk

Head Office Address
Hangar D
Gambling Close
Norfolk
NR6 6EG

Registered Charity No. 1083876

WE NEED YOU TODAY, YOU MAY NEED US TOMORROW