A billionaire businessman landed his helicopter on the sports field of a Timperley school today – but it was the wrong Timperley school.
Chris Dawson, the flamboyant owner of The Range, had travelled to Altrincham in a branded helicopter to officially open his homeware chain’s latest store, at Altrincham Retail Park.
The store had contacted Wellington School in advance to make arrangements for the helicopter to land in return for some festive decorations and a number of other items the school was going to auction off for charity.
But instead of arriving at the arranged time, the pilot landed on the playing fields of Willows Primary School – around 500 yards away.
Kirsten Warren, headteacher at Willows, said the helicopter’s unexpected arrival had created “great excitement” for the children.
“They were all at the window watching it land and then we watched it take off again,” she said.
“It was quite loud and we certainly heard it well before it landed, but it wasn’t scary at all. The children were very excited.”
It’s understood the pilot had been given the wrong co-ordinates.
A spokesman for Wellington School said the gifts it had been promised “have not materialised”.
“We’ve tried to contact them but have heard nothing,” he said. “Hopefully Willows will get them at least.”
Dawson, a former market trader, was ranked as the UK’s 57th wealthiest person by the latest Sunday Times Rich List, with a fortune of £1.65bn.
His company enjoyed sales £564.9m last year, up 20% on the previous year, and employs over 6,500 people.
As well as a helicopter, Dawson owns a Rolls Royce with the number plate ‘DEII BOY’.
A spokesperson for The Range said: “With so many stores to visit our pilot got a little lost this morning, we hope the children found it exciting!
“We are giving the school some vouchers to spend at our fantastic new store on Altrincham Retail Park, we hope that the staff and parents can visit us soon.”
The Range’s new store, which is creating 80 jobs, has opened in the former Asda Living unit on Altrincham Retail Park.
