Bertie, your post just reminded me of another, and very similar, good idea.
On holiday in UK from my foreign job, near the time to come back, I heard a rumour that a local police force was setting up an air support unit in the near future.
On Christmas Eve we happened to be driving past the police HQ, on the way to see my in-laws. My wife suggested I called in. I did, rang the bell! Ten minutes later I was having a cup of tea with the Unit Executive Officer to be. Three months later I was flying the police helicopter (when you weren't flying it, that is).
