UK Airport Hosts Day of Fun for Disabled Kids

By Charles Alcock

November 1, 2008
Business Aviation, Business Aviation Lifestyle

British business aviation companies have joined forces to help 16 seriously ill or disabled children and their families. Freestream Aircraft, Gama Aviation, TAG Aviation and TAG Farnborough Airport supported a special day held by the Fly2Help and Dreamflight charities at BAE Systems’ Filton Airport in Bristol on September 7.

Dreamflight arranges vacations for children to Disneyland. The event at Filton, attended by 90 people, was arranged as a chance for the children to meet their caretakers before the trip and to enjoy flights in a pair of Bombardier Learjets over some local beauty spots. This gives the nurses and physiotherapists a chance to assess the physical and emotional needs of the children, who make the transatlantic trip without their parents.

“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,” said Mandy Pantall of Fly2Help.

For many of the children the flight from Filton was their first. On landing they and their siblings received a goody bag, full of gifts and treats to help them remember their day, along with personalized certificates signed by the aircraft captain. Hawker Beechcraft, Gulfstream, Bombardier, FlightSafety International and CRS Jet Spares also donated gifts.

Other attractions on the day involved a magician, aircraft model making and flying competitions, rides in the Filton Airport fire engines and time with the firefighters and a barbeque. The grand finale was a flying display by a Spitfire.

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