{"id":728867,"date":"2026-01-29T15:49:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T15:49:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/728867\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T15:49:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T15:49:28","slug":"charity-fundraiser-enjoys-behind-the-scenes-tour-at-manchester-airport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/728867\/","title":{"rendered":"Charity fundraiser enjoys behind-the-scenes tour at Manchester Airport"},"content":{"rendered":"

A teenage aviation fan from Yorkshire who has raised thousands of pounds for Sheffield Children’s Hospital was treated to a special access-all-areas experience at Manchester Airport yesterday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

15-year-old Aroob Haroon, from Sheffield, suffers from a rare genetic condition which sadly led to the death of her five-year-old brother Ayaan in 2023.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Since then, and despite the challenges posed by her own disability, Aroob has fundraised for Sheffield Children\u2019s Hospital and has campaigned for greater awareness of the difficulties faced by children with rare illnesses, spreading the word to businesses, mosques, community groups, and the Lord Mayor of Sheffield. She has even taken her message to the Houses of Parliament and the Scottish Parliament, where she met former First Minister, Humza Yousaf.<\/p>\n

Aroob helped establish the hospital\u2019s Moon and Stars campaign during Ramadan last year, with 57 local organisations and businesses each sponsoring a star on a giant mural outside the hospital, ultimately raising in excess of \u00a320,000 \u2013 and due to be repeated this year<\/a>.<\/p>\n

She also fundraises for Bluebell Wood Hospice, who care for her, and is backing Rotherham United Community Trust\u2019s \u201850K Power Play\u2019 campaign to raise \u00a350,000 for powerchair football in South Yorkshire.<\/p>\n

Aroob\u2019s family contacted Manchester Airport eager to arrange for her to see some planes up close and airport colleagues then took it upon themselves to arrange a behind-the-scenes tour, where Aroob saw an Airbus A380 \u2013 the world\u2019s largest passenger aircraft \u2013 prepare for take-off.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

She was then greeted by a Jet2.com pilot and flight crew, and taken on board an aircraft to see how it is readied for departure.<\/p>\n

The visit also included a tour of the airport\u2019s impressive new-look, \u00a31.3bn Terminal 2 building \u2013 including access to areas normally out-of-bounds to the travelling public.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on her experience, Aroob said:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cSeeing the huge A380 up close and going behind the scenes at Manchester Airport was amazing! Everyone was so kind and made me feel really special. Thank you to Manchester Airport\u2019s special team for making this visit possible and for being so welcoming. I loved learning how the planes get ready to fly. It\u2019s really cool to think that by visiting the airport I can also help people find out about the charities I care about, like Sheffield Children\u2019s Hospital and Bluebell Wood Hospice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aroob\u2019s father Haroon added:<\/strong><\/p>\n

“We\u2019re incredibly grateful for the warmth, care, and enthusiasm Manchester Airport has shown to Aroob. Knowing that her efforts \u2014 and the causes close to her heart \u2014 are being supported in this way is very special for her and for us as a family. Seeing her so excited by the A380, meeting the Jet2 pilot and crew, and exploring behind the scenes has created memories she will treasure forever.<\/p>\n

\u201cDespite the challenges she faces on a daily basis, Aroob is passionate about helping other children with complex needs, and experiences like this remind her that her work matters and inspires others. We\u2019re very thankful to Manchester Airport\u2019s special team for being part of that, for championing her efforts, and for making her feel truly valued and celebrated.”<\/p>\n

Ed Kibblewhite, Accessibility Manager at Manchester Airport, said:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a pleasure to welcome Aroob to the airport and we are delighted that she has made so many special memories. Her story is such an inspiration, and we believe a big part of our role in serving the North is not just through connecting people in the North West, Yorkshire and beyond with destinations across the globe, but also using our platform to support people like Aroob and her family and to help raise awareness of important causes such as this one. I\u2019d also like to thank the colleagues who took it upon themselves to arrange this special experience for Aroob \u2013 they are a credit to themselves and the airport as a whole.\u201d<\/p>\n

Steve Wilson, Assisted Travel Manager at\u00a0Jet2.com\u00a0added:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAroob is an absolute inspiration, so it was a privilege to welcome her onboard one of our aircraft and provide a behind-the-scenes look at our award-winning operations. Our team were thrilled to be able to play their part in a day that has created so many special memories, and we wish Aroob all the best as she continues with her vital campaigning work.\u201d<\/p>\n

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