Angel Flight

MISSION 187 - KINGAROY/ BRISBANE/ KINGAROY

A TEAM OF ANGELS FROM TOOWOOMBA AND BRISBANE SUPPORT NANANGO CANCER PATIENT

SUBSEQUENT TRIP (4th & 5th Angel Flights)

For cancer patient Gary Otto of Nanango, a whole host of angels from all over southeast Queensland have been lifting him up in more ways than one. This was Gary's fourth and fifth Angel flights.

"Until I heard about Angel Flight, I had to make trips to Brisbane for treatment by bus every three weeks," Gary said.

"The three-hour trip was really hard coming on top of the treatment which has affected my energy levels and made the journey seem a lot longer than it really is."

Gary said he first found out about Angel Flight from a TV programme but thought he was living too far away to use this free service.

"A friend's mother helps Angel Flight by driving passengers to and from the airport, and she encouraged me to ask for help," he said.

"I was really surprised and very grateful when I was told that they would fly me free of charge to and from Brisbane for my treatments, and on top of that, what they call 'Earth Angels', would drive me from the plane to the hospital and back when in Brisbane. It has made an enormous difference to me and the pilots are really special helping people like me."

Read about a previous mission for Gary (M175).

This story appearing in the South Burnett Times 07/10/04 front page, page 4 and page 7.


Nev Donald - Pilot Richard Maybury - Earth Angel (Richard's 1st mission)	Angel flight 1 by Nev Donald This was Nev's first Angel Flight. "I'm a madly passionate aviator, and delighted that I can combine my passion with the opportunity to help people like Gary," Nev said. "I've had personal experience of a family member with a serious illness who also had to be flown out of a remote area for treatment and understand how desperate they can become." Nev also said that he is a country boy at heart having been brought up in Gympie and coincidentally has family connections with Nanango, the hometown of his first Angel Flight passenger. "My grandparents were Sid & Bessie Green of the "Omega" property just outside Nanango and I have some very special memories of the time I spent there and still have family around the area, so I feel a real connection with Gary," he said. So, when Nev flew out of Kingaroy with Gary on board, he achieved a personal goal he's had for a long time. "I've always wanted to give a bit back to the community, and especially to help people who are unwell and need support to get them through hard times. This was a very special flight for me."

David Laughton - Pilot Lyndal Clark - Earth Angel (Lyndal's 1st mission)	Angel flight 2 by David Laughton This was Dave's first Angel Flight. Like Nev, David too has a connection with the remote areas of Queensland and was keen to use his skills and experience to give a helping hand. "I understand the challenges facing people in the bush because most of our business comes from those living in remote areas," he said. "Because of them we have developed a successful business and this is our way of putting something back into the communities that have helped us. I am delighted to have the opportunity and resources to help people who are doing it tough." The happy faces of Dave, Gary and Lyndal.