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Scottish TV and radio personality Grado is preparing for take-off as he joins Ascent Aviation in Paisley for WorldFlight 2025, a week-long global flight simulator challenge raising funds for Beatson Cancer Charity.
From Saturday 1 November, the Ascent team – made up of commercial pilots, private pilots, flight instructors and trainees – for a virtual round-the-world flight from Sydney, Australia, back to Sydney, operating continuously 24 hours a day for seven days.
The challenge, which has raised around $1 million for healthcare charities worldwide since its inception in 1999, brings together more than 100 simulators globally, each representing a chosen charity.
Grado, who has long been a supporter of Beatson Cancer Charity, said:
“Captain Grado here and I am absolutely ecstatic to be taking part in WorldFlight 2025 with Ascent Aviation. I’m going to be part of such a big event, flying around the world from Sydney back to Sydney, 24 hours a day, just as if we were flying a real plane.
I’ve got an amazing passion for aviation – it’s a big part of my life. Any downtime I have, I’m on YouTube watching planes take off, cockpit videos, and flight simulator clips. So I’m over the moon to be involved in this, especially as we’re raising money for such a great cause – Beatson Cancer Charity.
The Beatson is very close to my heart. I lost my mum in 2017 and The Beatson played a huge role in supporting us through that time. It wasn’t an easy period, but the Beatson made it a lot easier thanks to the charity’s incredible work. I’ve taken part in different challenges and fundraisers for them before, but this one is definitely the most exciting. I’ll be flying a plane with my new mate, Captain Steve – it’s a dream come true! Captain Grado is making a comeback, and we’re raising money for an amazing cause.”
The event holds particular meaning for Stephen Balmer, Operations Manager at Ascent Aviation, whose wife sadly passed away from cancer in 2018. Stephen said:
“Quite a few of our staff have personal connections with The Beatson – whether through their own treatment or that of family and friends. When we discussed which charity to support, Beatson Cancer Charity was the clear choice for everyone.
Many of our team are pilots, and this event gives us a meaningful way to use our passion for flying to support healthcare. It’s a unique opportunity to contribute to a cause that means so much to us, and we’re proud to be part of something that unites people all over the world for good.”
Ascent Aviation will use their Boeing 737-800NG fixed-base simulator to complete 45 sectors replicating the real-world route, with their progress livestreamed across the week on social media for the public to follow.
Heilidh Wilson, Corporate Fundraiser at Beatson Cancer Charity, said:
“We’re absolutely delighted that Grado and the Ascent Aviation team are supporting Beatson Cancer Charity through this year’s WorldFlight event. It’s such a creative and inspiring way to fundraise, and it’s wonderful to see people coming together locally and globally for a shared cause. We’re so grateful for their generosity and wish them all the best as they take on this incredible round-the-world challenge.”
Members of the public can support Ascent Aviation’s fundraising efforts and follow their virtual journey via their JustGivingpage: www.justgiving.com/page/ascentworldflight
