DONATIONS are being sought by BCP Council ahead of the Bournemouth Air Festival later this month. 

The local authority has turned to residents to ask them to make donations of £2, £5 or £10 to fund other leisure, community and cultural activities throughout the year. 

Spectators can also donate online now when they purchase this year’s commemorative souvenir brochure. Donations are also being accepted on site at eight selected seafront kiosks. 

Previously, BCP Council said it needed to raise £100,000 for the air festival and it will fund the rest of the costs to break even.

It’s not yet clear if that £100k has been raised. BCP Council has been asked. 

Richard Herrett, cabinet member for destination, leisure and commercial operations, said: “We’re excited that the 16th Bournemouth Air Festival is just 10 days away, but, due to the tough financial climate, we have had to find innovative ways to fund these types of events going forward.  

“Donations given at this year’s festival will help fund a diverse future calendar of leisure, community and cultural activities for all to enjoy.   

“This will help us to make greater use of our beautiful outdoor spaces, as well as encourage more people to be active and enjoy our cultural offering.  

“It will also help drive further visits to our fantastic three towns and connect residents in our vibrant communities, all while supporting the local economy in the process.   

“My thanks go to anyone who can make a donation this year.” 

New entertainment at this year’s event will see an outdoor cinema located on the beach, a virtual-reality RNLI Lifeboat experience situated in the STEM village, and two Swedish historic fighter jets – the Saab Viggen and Saab Draken, make their inaugural festival appearance.  

Popular crowd favourites including the AeroSuperBatics WingWalkers and Rich Goodwin's Jet Pitts Muscle Biplane will also be back in action this year.   

Flight times for the highly anticipated RAF Typhoon have also been announced, with the jet set to take to the skies six times in a mix of day and dusk displays: Thursday, August 29 at 4.30pm and 7.42pm, Friday, August 30 at 4.10pm and 7.40pm and Saturday, August 31 at 5.24pm and 7.35pm. 

This is the last year the Bournemouth Air Festival will be managed and run by BCP Council, with the authority saying its officers are exploring the ongoing, sustainable management of the event. 

More information about how to donate can be found at https://bournemouthair.co.uk/donations/.