<div>My name is Joshua Merchan-Nicholls, I am an 18 year old aspiring pilot from Finchley in North London. I am working hard to achieve my dream to become a commercial airline pilot and then help other young people to also become pilots too. I have finished my 24month Aviation Operative Apprenticeship with British Airways and achieved the award DISTINCTION.
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<div>From the age of 7years old my dream has always been to become a commercial airline pilot. I officially started this journey in 2021 and I was selected to be on a programme with a company called FantasyWings who specialise in providing seminars for young people to understand how to get into the aviation industry.
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<div>Through my hard work I was selected and awarded a trial flight and a 10hour flying scholarship at North Weald Flight Training school to help me gain flying experience. Once I completed this course I attended a Pilot Career Live event and met with a charity called The Air League who are sponsored by the Department For Transport who took an interest in my commercial pilot journey. They were impressed with my dedication to this profession and I applied for Gliding to Solo Scholarship. I was successful in the application and interview process and was awarded the Gliding to Solo Scholarship at The London Gliding Club.
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<div>A few weeks later a children’s educational company called Kidzania in Westfield west London heard about me and contacted me stating that they were pleased to see a positive young person working towards my dream and they offered to sponsor and support my journey to help me achieve my dream.
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<div>I was invited to their office for an interview, where I met their media team who created an article about my journey in the local newspaper and their social media online, however unfortunately after 8 years of operating Kidzania have announced that they will be closing down which means that all the sponsorships and support towards the £106,000 pilot training cost will cease. I come from a background where my family do not have the money to financially support my dream and I do not have any other way to pay myself or raise the £106,000 needed to complete the pilot training course which starts in September 2025.
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<div>Currently only 7% of pilots across the world are black, mixed race or minority ethnic and the figure in the UK is close to 1%.
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<div>I have worked hard to find my way into the aviation industry and I would be doing myself and future generations of young people like me an injustice by giving up. I am determined to pursue my dream.
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<div>All I need is a chance
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<div>Please help me to continue my education to fulfill my dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot.
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<div>I believe that when we ALL support eachother, we ALL win together and
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<div>I promise I will not let you down
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<div>Please could I ask you to kindly consider helping me to raise the funds for my pilot training by making a donation.
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<div>It does not matter how small, every contribution will help me towards the target. I would be so grateful if you could share this link to your Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, family and friends so they can also read my story and consider making a donation.
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<div>Thank you so much for taking the time to read my journey so far, please help me to continue to keep my dream alive.
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<div>Instagram: @mr7oshm
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<div>LinkedIn: Joshua Merchan-Nicholls
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/77796311_170589140054875_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div>40hour Gliding Scholarship sponsored by The Air League and Department For Transport.
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/77796311_1705889297767303_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div>Receiving my Award from The Air League President Sir Chris Harper for successfully completing my 40hour Flying/Gliding Scholarship
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/77796311_170588965037547_r.png" width="100%" />
<div>Scholarship Awards Reception
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/77796311_1709806086125366_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div>Proud first day of my Apprenticeship
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/77796311_1705889819652988_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div>Selected by British Airways to model the new uniform
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/77796311_1705889919340936_r.png" width="100%" />
<div>Selected for the British Airways careers photoshoot
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/77796311_1706061270547596_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div>Interviewed about my journey with Kidzania in Westfield (West London)
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/77796311_1705890187326055_r.png" width="100%" />
<div>My journey short video filmed by Kidzania
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<div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzrP9B1tRPE?igsh=MTk5aHhzdHU0aWN4aA%252525252525252525252525252525252525252525253D%252525252525252525252525252525252525252525253D" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzrP9B1tRPE/?igsh=MTk5aHhzdHU0aWN4aA==" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzrP9B1tRPE/?igsh=MTk5aHhzdHU0aWN4aA==</a></a>
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/77796311_170606655998980_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div>My 10hour Flying Schlorship at NorthWeald sponsored by FantasyWings
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/77796311_1705891224450333_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div>Receiving my 10hour Flying Scholarship Award from the CEO of FantasyWings
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/77796311_1705893532526369_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div>Encouraging and Inspiring the younger generation
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/77796311_1705894187750293_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div>Training in the Aircraft Simulator
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/77796311_1712312596781645_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div>Invited by LBC Radio to share my pilot journey and crowd fund page at their studio
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