One initiative that Aviation action have put forward to its supporters is the ‘run the runways’
challenge. This involves running, walking or jogging the distance of some of the UK’s most iconic
runways throughout December. Instead of running one runway per day, Schneider Electric’s Airport
Segment Lead, Ian Humphrey, is challenging himself even further by running them back to back on
the 10th December, totalling 66.8km! Follow Ian’s Journey here.
As a board member of the British Aviation Group (BAG) and Airport Segment Director for Schneider
Electric UK&I, Ian has seen colleagues and clients within the aviation sector experience an extremely
challenging year, with an estimated 40% of his professional network no longer working in the
industry.
Secondly, Ian would like to promote the importance of physical activity and time outdoors as part of
wellness and wellbeing, especially as we approach the end of another lockdown and a Christmas
season that will not be like our usual coming together in work parties, lunches and getting together
to celebrate. He hopes for a common theme for people to come together AND improve their
wellness through exercise and regularly achieving a series of small goals.
Back in March during the first lockdown, Ian promised himself that he would come out of lockdown
in a better mental and physical condition than he went into it. Many of us have never experienced
such a curtailing of the things we take for granted, being able to see friends and family when we
want, go where we like, even buy and eat what we want. Coming from an Armed Forces background
Ian has been deployed away from home for extended periods and has experienced exactly this set of
circumstances, so the importance of wellness really comes to the forefront in these situations.
So, why not end the year by setting yourself one final challenge? You can take part in this initiative
by visiting the
About Aviation Action
Aviation Action is a mental health and support charity specifically for aviation industry colleagues.
The charity has been set up to offer vital assistance to people who have worked in the aviation
industry within the UK.
The charity supports the aviation industry across the board from flight deck, firefighters to caterers
and cabin crew. Run by a team of volunteers, Aviation Action aims to offer hundreds and thousands
of aviation colleagues to get back on their feet if they are facing difficult times both personal or
professionally.
The charity was launched by Chris Wild (Head of Airfield Operations at Manchester Airport) and a
team of industry colleagues in May 2020 during the COVID‐19 pandemic. At a time when the
industry needed significant support, they felt such support was missing for aviation colleagues.
The support includes:
Mental Health
1:1 support with a mental health professional.
Group support either online or face to face.
Online resources on the aviation website.
Peer to Peer
The opportunity to speak to or meet an aviation buddy.
Mutual support through our network.
Advice and friendship
Connection to real world experienced individuals
Career and Recruitment
C.V. writing interview tips
Job opportunities posted on the Aviation Action website.
Legal, HR and financial advice
Career coaching and networking
