A couple from Staffordshire took to the air so they could see their two children graduate within fours hours of each other at ceremonies more than 160 miles apart.

Mark and Maureen Embrey, from Pershall, near Eccleshall, decided to hire a private aeroplane and a chauffeur-driven car so they could make the mad dash from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Nottingham.

Their 20-year-old son, Matthew, was due to graduate from Newcastle University yesterday morning.

Then their 22-year-old daughter, Rachael, was graduating at Nottingham University in the afternoon, with first class honours in pharmacy.

Read the full story in the Express & Star. 

A couple from Staffordshire took to the air so they could see their two children graduate within fours hours of each other at ceremonies more than 160 miles apart.

Mark and Maureen Embrey, from Pershall, near Eccleshall, decided to hire a private aeroplane and a chauffeur-driven car so they could make the mad dash from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Nottingham.

Their 20-year-old son, Matthew, was due to graduate from Newcastle University yesterday morning.

Then their 22-year-old daughter, Rachael, was graduating at Nottingham University in the afternoon, with first class honours in pharmacy.

As soon as the last photograph was taken of Matthew in Newcastle, the family raced to the airport where the aeroplane was waiting to take them to East Midlands Airport.

Mrs Embrey said: “We wanted Rachael and Matthew to be at each other’s graduation because we are a close family. But we we didn’t want either one to change the date of their graduation because we wanted them to celebrate with their friends.”

Strict rules at Nottingham University meant the family had around an hour and 15 minutes to complete the journey from Newcastle. Mr Embrey said: “We saw the aeroplane and met the pilot before the big day and he assured us that the plan would work, albeit to a very tight schedule.

“We just had to hope that Nottingham University would be understanding and allow Rachael to attend the ceremony if we were a few minutes late.”

Proud parents Mark and Maureen, of Rogueswood Cottage, were adamant they must see both their children graduate on their special day, so decided to sacrifice a holiday to pay for their contingency plan.

Mr Embrey said the cost of the flight to ensure they attended both was about the same as a “good summer holiday for four people.”

He said before the big day: “It is a big logistical exercise. It’ll be our summer holiday – albeit a bit of a shorter one.”

Matthew’s graduation was at 11am but the couple were unsure when the ceremony would end. They needed to be in the air by 1pm to get to East Midlands Airport for a car to then meet them on the runway and take them to Nottingham.

But the family decided to see the hectic journey as a novel and exciting part of their celebration of their children’s academic achievements.

Rachael said: “We were joking, saying it could be sort of a Bridget Jones-style moment, having to parachute in on time, straight onto the stage or something. 

“I feel like I’m outdoing all of my friends now. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing – it’s going to be such a memory for us afterwards and it’ll just be the icing on the cake.” 

Her mother said they were originally bitterly disappointed when they found out the graduation dates clashed. “I felt I wanted to cry. 

“It seemed to me impossible that we’d get to both ceremonies,” she said. “Which child are you going to choose? I couldn’t make that decision. I’ve been with these children all their lives and this is the crowning glory.”