A dedicated 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 raise thousands for Whiteleys Retreat.
The experienced pilot was flying on a training exercise in a Leonardo M-346 type jet which went down near the Colico (Monte Legnone), between Como and Lecco in Northern Italy on Wednesday, March 16.
Both pilots ejected but sadly mercy crews found Dave dead at the crash site.
Ayrshire business chief Dave previously lived in Prestwick with his Scots wife Heather Ashley and their sons Finn and Harvey.
The family moved to Dorset but both Dave and Heather continued to run their property investment firm Ashley Property Group, registered in Prestwick.
Maxine Allan CEO at Whiteleys Retreat paid an emotional tribute to super fit pilot who regularly donned Whiteleys iconic owl logo whilst taking on enduring challenges in aid of the Alloway respite facility.
Just last year Dave took on a middle distance triathlon in Aberfeldy swimming 1900m across a loch and a 90k hilly cycle finishing with a half marathon, near Aberfeldy.
His heroic efforts helped raise £1,200 for the charity who help children with life-limiting illness and their families.
A statement from Maxine reads: “With a heavy heart today, we announce the tragic passing of a loyal supporter of the charity and extremely close friend - Dave Ashley. Dave, a Director of the Ashley Property Group ( one of our charity partners), and a fighter jet pilot was involved in a military training crash on Wednesday of this week in the mountains of Italy.
"Both pilots were forced to eject from the plane. Sadly, Dave did not survive.
“We are all devastated and send our sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to his loving wife Heather and his two sons, Finn and Harvey. We are thinking of his close family during this very difficult period.”
A statement from Leonardo reads: “Leonardo’s Top Management express their most heartfelt condolences for the loss of the pilot. His name was Dave Ashley, a married 49-year-old father of two children. Deepest sympathies are with his family.”
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