Events and Air Smiles Days
Brenda, Alexander and Arthur - Air Smiles Day 12th September 2009
Brenda and her two sons, Alexander (8) and Arthur (6) live
in Gloucester with the rest of the family living some hundreds
of miles away. Brenda's husband works overseas a great deal
of the time. Being new to the area, this left Brenda very
little support to look after Alexander who has autism and
Arthur who had quite severe early learning difficulties. Brenda
was nominated for a flight with fly2help
and on September 12th 2009 she and her two boys had a day
they will never forget...
The wait for good weather meant clear blue skies and a warm breeze to enjoy their helicopter ride. Even on arrival at Cotswold Airport, the boys were thoroughly enjoying just looking around at the small aircraft. Every part of that day had something enjoyable from being picked up in the morning at 10 and being dropped off back home at 5pm.
The flight in the helicopter was wonderful. The boys shrieked
with delight and Brenda had a bird's eye view of the heavens
and the land below. Flying over the Avebury stones, Castle
Combe race track and the canals, they saw folks below enjoying
their day - although perhaps not as much as Brenda and the
boys!! From the visit to the Control Tower where the infectious
enthusiasm the controllers showed doing their work to a wonderful
meal in AV8 restaurant with good company and witty banter,
everyone seemed to be having a really good day. The weather
probably helped!!
Having the perspective from the flight and seeing everyone
on the airfield enjoying what they were doing reminded Brenda
of the good things in life and that play was possible along
with work.
Following this wonderful day, fly2help delivered a photograph album to Brenda which she and her sons continue to enjoy the day that was very, very special and fun for all three of them and showed them what life can offer. It was the kindest and most enjoyable wake up call imaginable.
A short time after the flight, Brenda appeared on BBC Radio Gloucestershire, along with Mandy Pantall from fly2help, talking about her fabulous experience. Even John Rockley, the interviewer, was bowled over!
