AIRPORT FRIENDS SUPPORT LOCALS' NEEDS

A group of Robin Hood Airport supporters are being praised for their outstanding voluntary work.

FODSA (Friends of Doncaster Sheffield Airport), are active members of the public who work to promote the benefits of the airport through encouraging promotion of the passenger flights and facilities, future airport development and continued improvement.

The group have been involved in surveys, litter picking schemes and played a key role in the Airport’s Draft Master Plan public consultation, working to ensure the public get the best from the airport.

FODSA now have more than 50 members and recently travelled to Stansted Airport, Essex, to be guests of honour for the day, sharing their experiences and highlighting the benefit of groups like FODSA which can strengthen community ties.

Andrew Bosmans, Chairman at the FODSA group said: “From our experience, we know that having a close link between the community and an airport makes locals feel involved and considered when there are new plans.

“Helping out with the airport’s charity work and offering the odd helping hand to the staff who assist passengers with reduced mobility when the annual special Lourdes flights operate from the airport, is also a part of FODSA’s work. We also support fundraisers such as the recent DSA 3 Counties 10K charity run, which our members marshalled.

“We hope to give something back to the community and because our members are widely spread from places like Finningley, Blaxton, Bawtry as well as Doncaster, we can decipher what the locals want by working together with the airport, which is a brilliant asset to the town.”

The group were established in 2005 but previously went by the name of ‘FLY’ (Finningley Locals say YES), to support the planning of the airport at a time when some were considering proposals for a new prison to be built on the old RAF base.

FODSA are now working with management at Robin Hood Airport to engage with the public, to find out where people really want to fly to, and are always prepared if they need to help out in any way at the airport.

The volunteers distribute flyers for the airport and the surrounding hotels, as well as having their own marketing stand based on site which enables them to speak directly to people.

Jodi Stow, marketing and communications manager at Robin Hood Airport said: “Many airports have local anti-airport groups, here we have ‘friends’ and as a consequence we are incredibly grateful to have FODSA’s support. They are dedicated transport enthusiasts and care greatly about the Airport and the people who use it.

“They have been instrumental in our planning and we value the publics’ needs and wants, so we will continue to work hard to maintain our relationship with the group, who have done so much outstanding voluntary work for us.”

To find out more about FODSA and the great work they do, please visit www.fodsa.co.uk