A YOUNGSTER from Times Territory has raised nearly �1,000 to help rejuvenate one of the world’s most iconic aircraft.

Earlier this month, 12-year-old Charlie Savident walked 26 miles from his home in Oaklands, Welwyn to the Imperial War Museum (IWM) in Duxford, Cambs, to support the ongoing restoration of Sally B, Europe’s last flying Boeing B17 Flying Fortress.

The aircraft, which has flown out of Duxford for the last 35 years, is most famous for playing Memphis Belle in the eponymous 1990 movie and is seen all over Europe at air shows each year.

However, she has had serious technical issues over the last two years and desperately needs cash to keep her flying.

Charlie, who started his walk at 4.30am alongside his parents Dan and Susie, said: “It was a really long way, but we just kept going with a 20 minute break every five miles.

“The first hour was horrible; it was dark and rained non-stop but after that it was OK.

“Mum, dad and me ‘high five’d’ after each break and said ‘Lets go for a walk’. That kept us going until the next stop.”

Charlie, of Rosecroft Lane, eventually arrived at Duxford at 5pm.

He said: “The people at the IWM made us very welcome.

“We were given an exclusive tour of Sally B as well as a certificate for ‘outstanding effort’.

“It was hard work and I was really tired at the end, but I felt so good to have done it.”

For more information about Sally B, click on the link, right