FLY HARRIER TRUST
THE OBJECTS OF THE CHARITY ARE:5.1. TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT HARRIER AND OTHER HISTORIC AIRCRAFT AS HISTORIC AIRCRAFT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC AND TO DEMONSTRATE AND DISPLAY SUCH AIRCRAFT AT PUBLIC EVENTS AND TO CONSERVE THEM AS HERITAGE ASSETS;5.2. TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC IN HARRIER AND OTHER HISTORIC AIRCRAFT.
Objects
THE OBJECTS OF THE CHARITY ARE:5.1. TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT HARRIER AND OTHER HISTORIC AIRCRAFT AS HISTORIC AIRCRAFT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC AND TO DEMONSTRATE AND DISPLAY SUCH AIRCRAFT AT PUBLIC EVENTS AND TO CONSERVE THEM AS HERITAGE ASSETS;5.2. TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC IN HARRIER AND OTHER HISTORIC AIRCRAFT.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a surplus of £137,253 for the year ended 31 March 2025, with unrestricted reserves increasing to £436,691. The trustees confirm that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, adopting the going concern basis of accounting. The charity relies heavily on donations from its trustees, Sir Peter Rigby and Mr Mark Fitzgerald, to fund its activities.
What the accounts disclose
“Donations were received from The Sir Peter Rigby Charitable Trust a charity in which Sir Peter Rigby is a trustee, of £170,000 (2024: £50,000).” — page 14
“During the financial year grants were made to the subsidiary undertaking, Fly Harrier Limited, of £293,714 (2024: £599,400). The grants were used to refurbish the Harrier aircraft.” — page 14
“Donations were received from Mr Mark William Fitzgerald, a trustee, of £100,000 (2024: £295,000). Gift aid is claimed, where possible, on personal donations received from Trustees.” — page 14
“During the financial year grants were made to the subsidiary undertaking, Fly Harrier Limited, of £293,714 (2024: £599,400). The grants were used to refurbish the Harrier aircraft.” — page 14
“Donations were received from Mr Mark William Fitzgerald, a trustee, of £100,000 (2024: £295,000). Gift aid is claimed, where possible, on personal donations received from Trustees.” — page 14
“During the financial year grants were made to the subsidiary undertaking, Fly Harrier Limited, of £293,714 (2024: £599,400). The grants were used to refurbish the Harrier aircraft.” — page 14
“Donations were received from Mr Mark William Fitzgerald, a trustee, of £100,000 (2024: £295,000). Gift aid is claimed, where possible, on personal donations received from Trustees.” — page 14
“The charity has one wholly owned trading subsidiary, Fly Harrier Limited. Its principal activity is the promotion of Harrier aircraft.” — page 5
Policies the charity declares
- Conflicting interests
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Investment
From the charity’s annual return (Part A, self-declared)
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2025
- Has a trading subsidiary
- Grant-making is its main activity
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2024
- Has a trading subsidiary
- Grant-making is its main activity
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2023
- Has a trading subsidiary
- Grant-making is its main activity
Trustees
- MARK WILLIAM FITZGERALDchair
- SIR PETER RIGBY
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £431k | £294k |
| 31/03/2024 | £471k | £599k |
| 31/03/2023 | £412k | £279k |
| 31/03/2022 | £447k | £280k |
| 31/03/2021 | £235k | £265k |
Common questions
Is FLY HARRIER TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a surplus of £137,253 for the year ended 31 March 2025, with unrestricted reserves increasing to £436,691. The trustees confirm that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, adopting the going concern basis of accounting. The charity relies heavily on donations from its trustees, Sir Peter Rigby and Mr Mark Fitzgerald, to fund its activities. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds FLY HARRIER TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name FLY HARRIER TRUST as a grant recipient include THE SIR PETER RIGBY CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE SIR PETER RIGBY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £170k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE I T F SEAFARERS TRUST | 1 | £315k |
| LLOYD'S REGISTER FOUNDATION | 1 | £260k |
| ARMY AIR CORPS CHARITY | 1 | £44k |
| THE BRITTEN FOUNDATION | 1 | £39k |
| THE ADRIAN SWIRE CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSEUMS | 1 | £2k |
Charities like this
- THE HERITAGE AIRCRAFT TRUST
- AEROPARK HERITAGE AIRCRAFT COLLECTION
- AVIATION HERITAGE FOUNDATION LIMITED
- HORNCHURCH AERODROME HISTORICAL TRUST
- ARMY FLYING MUSEUM LIMITED
- FLY NAVY HERITAGE TRUST LIMITED
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLY HARRIER TRUST | £431k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE HERITAGE AIRCRAFT TRUST | £251k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| AEROPARK HERITAGE AIRCRAFT COLLECTION | £312k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| AVIATION HERITAGE FOUNDATION LIMITED | £34k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| HORNCHURCH AERODROME HISTORICAL TRUST | £25k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| ARMY FLYING MUSEUM LIMITED | £1.1m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |