Events and Air Smiles Days
Young Adults from the Spring Centre - Air Smiles Day 30th September 2011
The weather could not have been more perfect as 7 young adults and their 3 carers arrived from The Spring Centre for a day of adventure with fly2help. Despite it being late September, the sky was blue and the temperature balmy. The young adults all live with various severe learning disabilities, including Down's Syndrome. This was an opportunity of a lifetime for them to get airborne, as well as enjoy a bespoke VIP day out at Cotswold Airport.
Everyone assembled in the AV8 airport restaurant for some welcome refreshments and a safety brief from the fly2help volunteer team. The excitement mounted as the group awaited the arrival of David with his gleaming Long Ranger helicopter. The moment soon came and everyone went out to the airfield barrier to watch the helicopter land. After a coffee and a chat with the youngsters about how the flights would be conducted, David split them into 3 groups. First to go flying were the girls, one of whom had felt particularly nervous at the prospect of going up in the air. However, as the helicopter gently lifted off there was a lot of grinning and waving from its occupants. This was returned to them by all of us waiting on the ground to see them off as the helicopter whisked them away to explore the local Cotswold countryside. After 15 minutes it returned with 2 beaming young ladies and their carer. All fear had been instantly forgotten and they were desperate to do it all over again!
Next it was the boys' turns and one in particular could barely contain his wonder that he really was going to go up in the helicopter. After his flight he simply radiated happiness for the rest of the day, which was extremely special for all to see. Another young man had been fascinated at seeing the lakes from the air and how small the houses looked. This had been a brand new experience for them and it was so rewarding for the fly2help volunteers and the carers to witness their positive reactions to it.
After the flights were completed everyone retired back to AV8 for some much needed lunch and rest. This was then followed by a visit to the Fire Section where the fire crews very kindly gave the group a detailed explanation of what they do and showed them all their fire fighting equipment. As ever, the opportunity to sound the various alarms and try on the fire helmets was a big hit with everyone. Then it was time to go and have a tour around the static Britannia aircraft with the volunteers who maintain this historic aeroplane. There was the chance to sit in the Captain's seat and to try out the comfort of the rear passenger seats.
This memorable day was rounded off by tea in AV8 and the presentation of fly2help goody bags to each of the young adults. It had been a very special Air Smiles event indeed!
