Events and Air Smiles Days
A Dream Flight with fly2help www.dreamflight.org
On Sunday 7th September 2008, aviation charity fly2help,
based at Kemble Airport in Gloucestershire, hosted an event
that shared blue skies, adventures and smiles with a group
of very special and brave families who believe that life is
most definitely for living!
For the second year running, with thanks to the enormous generosity and support of Freestream Aircraft, Gama Aviation, TAG Aviation UK and TAG Farnborough Airport and BAE Systems Filton Airport, the Gloucestershire based charity fly2help were able to support Dreamflight, by laying on a thrilling day at Filton Airport in Bristol for sixteen children and their families, all of whom live with serious illness and disability. Dreamflight is a national charity that supports life-limited, chronically ill or recovering children, by providing a 'once-in-a-lifetime' holiday to Disneyland Florida later this year.
fly2help
quickly recognised the synergy between both organisations
- "Both charities share the belief that smiles and laughter
can be just as important as medical research for many families;
fun plays an essential role in keeping a positive mindset.
We aim to inspire confidence, self-esteem and determination
in those we support and our belief in what we do is second-to-none"
says Mandy of fly2help.
A day full of fun and thrills for over 90 individuals was
centred around a luxurious Learjet flight for all. This exciting
and unique day with fly2help
offered the opportunity for those who suffer pain, distress
and disruption, often on a daily basis, to literally leave
their worries on the ground for a day whilst laying any pre-holiday
apprehensions to rest. It was essential to encourage the Dreamflight
children to meet their fellow holiday makers so they could
start to build friendships; this event was also the first
and only opportunity for the children to meet their new nurses
and physiotherapists before the trip. For the carers, this
was their chance to understand the physical and emotional
needs of the children they will be caring for; as well as
to reassure anxious parents who are being left behind in the
UK.
The generous provision of two Learjets allowed fly2help to offer two trips per family in luxury executive jets, with ten 20 minute sorties from Filton, out to the Severn Estuary taking in the sights of the Severn Bridges and the beautiful Cotswold countryside - for most, this was their first ever airborne experience.
One aircraft carried the Dreamflight children with their
new carers only, allowing the staff to assess the child's
needs when away from their usual support network and bonding
over a shared adventure; but this day wasn't just for them.
It is of course, not only the children themselves who suffer
the effects of their illnesses, often siblings find themselves
'on the outside' with lots of confusion of their own. The
second aircraft flew siblings, along with their parents, awarding
them their own chance to feel special too, ensuring precious
and rare time together and sharing the fun of their own exciting
experience.
The smiles, bright eyes and squeals of enthusiasm were breathtaking - on landing each child and sibling were given a Goody Bag, full of gifts and treats to help them remember their day, along with personalised certificates signed by the aircraft captain. Thanks to Gama Aviation, Hawker Beechcraft, Gulfstream, Bombardier, FlightSafety International and CRS Jet Spares for donating goodies.
Other attractions on the day involved a magician, aircraft
model making and flying competitions, tours of the Filton
Airport Fire Engines and time with the firefighters, a BBQ
and finally, but by no means least, everyone was treated to
a stunning Spitfire display. There were cheers of excitement
during the display when the children and parents alike cheered
loudly and waved encouragement for another loop or roll! -
they were not disappointed!
Two fly2help photographers and friends of the charity from Aardman Animations, captured the adventures and laughter for all to treasure; precious memories of a very special day. fly2help would like to offer their sincere thanks to Alireza Ittihadieh of Freestream Aircraft Limited along with Marwan Khalek & the team at Gama Aviation for the provision of the aircraft; TAG Aviation UK and TAG Farnborough Airport for funding the fuel; Alan Haile, Tracey Collins and all our supporters at BAE Systems Filton Airport for their invaluable time and support! Finally but by no means least, enormous thanks also go to all our incredible volunteers who gave their time and support on the day - we couldn't do it without you!
