Launchpoint – Charitable Trust

Launchpoint is a registered charity which supports the development of glider pilots. It was established in 2017 and incorporates the activities of Caroline Trust and the Ted Lys Trust, both of which had been established nearly 20 years earlier.

Our aims include providing opportunities to experience gliding and facilitating participants at all stages to expand their horizons in the sport. Applications are open to all.

The small team of Launchpoint trustees are all actively involved in gliding and administrate the trust as volunteers. All donations and gifts are allocated to the charity’s beneficiaries, apart from minimal administration costs.

Launchpoint’s aims are delivered through Caroline Awards and Ted Lys Awards.

Launchpoint is a member of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

Caroline Awards

To date, Caroline Awards have helped over 400 young people by providing bursaries towards pre-solo or early post-solo flying. Caroline Award bursaries have sparked interest in gliding, resulted in long-term participation in the sport, and led to careers in aviation.

Ted Lys Awards

Ted Lys awards are for qualified glider pilots who wish to develop their gliding skills. Applicants can make a proposal to the trustees to support, for example, a particular course, training or coaching program in any sphere of gliding either for a group of pilots or an individual.

We are now accepting applications for Ted Lys awards for 2025. The deadline for applications is (midnight) Sunday 12th January 2025.

Read more and apply at the Ted Lys Awards page.

Please help Launchpoint to support glider pilots

Launchpoint relies on generous donations, small and large. As a registered charity, donations may be supplemented by gift aid where HMRC give to the charity 25p for every pound donated. You do need to be a UK taxpayer to take advantage of this.

If you would like to assist us in fundraising to help UK pilots learn to fly or advance in their gliding career, donations can be made via several methods:

Secure online donation

Bank transfer or standing order to The Launchpoint Trust, Natwest Bank, Sort Code 60-01-33, Account no. 12088935

Credit Card or Debit Card payment. Please either call the BGA office who will ensure your payment is taken and passed on to the Launchpoint Trust, or alternatively you can use this form.

Please be assured the payment will be made in full to Launchpoint. Your data will be secured in accordance with the BGA’s data policy.

Cheque made payable to “Launchpoint” and sent to us c/o the BGA office, 8 Merus Court, Meridian business park, Leicester, LE19 1RJ.

Please feel free to contact the charity treasurer on treasurer.launchpoint@gmail.com for details or anything else you would like to discuss.

Your legacy

By deciding to remember us in your will, you’ll help our charity ‘Launchpoint’ to do its work and you’ll be a part of the future of gliding. Charity bequests may be exempt from inheritance tax.

You can read more here.

Thanks very much for your interest.

Launchpoint – Charity Commission no. 1089009

Your help in promoting Launchpoint

Anyone can support Launchpoint. By sharing the link to this webpage or by passing on an electronic or hard copy version of our foldable brochure, you’ll help to get the word out there. You can also share our Facebook page. Thanks in advance.

The promotional brochure is available here.