A devoted supporter of an Ayrshire charity has tragically died after a jet crash over mountains in Italy.
Tributes have been paid to Dave Ashley, 49, a former RAF pilot who helped increase hundreds for Whiteleys Retreat.
The skilled pilot was flying on a coaching train in a Leonardo M-346 kind jet which went down close to the Colico (Monte Legnone), between Como and Lecco in Northern Italy on Wednesday, March 16.
Each pilots ejected however sadly mercy crews discovered Dave useless on the crash web site.
Ayrshire enterprise chief Dave beforehand lived in Prestwick together with his Scots spouse Heather Ashley and their sons Finn and Harvey.
The household moved to Dorset however each Dave and Heather continued to run their property funding agency Ashley Property Group, registered in Prestwick.
Maxine Allan CEO at Whiteleys Retreat paid an emotional tribute to tremendous match pilot who usually donned Whiteleys iconic owl emblem while taking over enduring challenges in assist of the Alloway respite facility.
Simply final yr Dave took on a center distance triathlon in Aberfeldy swimming 1900m throughout a loch and a 90k hilly cycle ending with a half marathon, close to Aberfeldy.
His heroic efforts helped increase £1,200 for the charity who assist kids with life-limiting sickness and their households.
A press release from Maxine reads: “With a heavy coronary heart right now, we announce the tragic passing of a loyal supporter of the charity and intensely shut good friend - Dave Ashley. Dave, a Director of the Ashley Property Group ( considered one of our charity companions), and a fighter jet pilot was concerned in a navy coaching crash on Wednesday of this week within the mountains of Italy.
"Each pilots had been compelled to eject from the aircraft. Sadly, Dave didn't survive.
“We're all devastated and ship our honest condolences and deepest sympathies to his loving spouse Heather and his two sons, Finn and Harvey. We're considering of his shut household throughout this very troublesome interval.”
A press release from Leonardo reads: “Leonardo’s Prime Administration categorical their most heartfelt condolences for the lack of the pilot. His title was Dave Ashley, a married 49-year-old father of two kids. Deepest sympathies are together with his household.”
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