Letter: In reply to the letter in the Shropshire Star on December 27, from Mr Andrew Clarkson of Market Drayton, I would like to clarify the issues raised on behalf of RAF Shawbury and the Defence Helicopter Flying School.

Mr Clarkson questions the use of taxpayers’ money on providing helicopters to schools for Santa drops.

RAF Shawbury receives hundreds of similar requests each year including many in the run-up to the festive season. All such requests are reviewed to allow the unit to see whether they can be accommodated. Any re-quests that are accommodated are done because they can be fitted into the existing training programme for the day in question.

The times are then gently massaged to allow the helicopters to drop Santa or appear at the schools at the beginning of each training flight. The helicopter then departs and continues on the training flight it was due to complete.

This ensures that taxpayers’ money is not wasted. It also allows RAF Shawbury and the Defence Helicopter Flying School to repay the Shropshire community for the intrusion our training sometimes causes and brightens Christmas for the children of the county.

RAF Shawbury maintains its efforts to ensure that taxpayers’ money is utilised wisely while ensuring the very best training for helicopter pilots. Hopefully, Mr Clarkson will have read the story about the station on Page 4 of the Shropshire Star, also on Saturday, portraying the successful year that the unit has achieved.

Squadron Leader Neil Hope

Community Relations Officer

RAF Shawbury