MISSION 37 – THARGOMINDAH – ARCHERFIELD – THARGOMINDAH

Sadly, just two months ago Mitchell suffered a stroke following open-heart surgery and now requires regular follow-up treatment in Brisbane’s Mater Children’s Hospital. With no other affordable means of transport, Mitchell’s mother, Rebecca Keene, has had to undertake a regular grueling 15-hour drive to Brisbane not only with Mitchell, but also his twin brother, Alister.

"It certainly has been a difficult twelve months, and being so far away from specialist medical help has not made it any easier," Rebecca said. "I’ve had to stay in Brisbane with the twins for two months for Mitchell’s treatment, but because of Angel Flight I have been able to bring them home for a week to see their Dad who stayed at home in Thargomindah to run the business.

Rebecca said that the boys have really been missing their father, Peter, and the fact that they could return home and then only be away for two days for Mitchell’s next visit to Medical Specialists in Brisbane has made a big difference to the family.

"Angel Flight is a real ‘Godsend", she said. "We’ll be able to spend more time with Pete and they won’t have to sit in the car for 15 hours at a time."

Bill Bristow - Pilot

Leg 1: Thargomindah to Brisbane, story by Bill Bristow

"I was told by an engineer who was part of the original Piper Malibu design team that the aircraft's front luggage locker (around which the rest of the plane was designed) was scaled exactly to hold a full golf club set and bag. Well I don't play golf or own any clubs but I can vouch for the fact that the Malibu front locker is the perfect size and shape to hold a collapsed, twin, baby stroller.

My helper Barry Jukes and I picked up Rebecca and her twin boys, Alister and Mitchell in the startling heat of Thargomindah at 10.30am on December 10th. A couple of days earlier Rebecca warned me that it had been 46 degrees that day. Other than some vectors around friendly Blackhawks at Amberley, the flight was uneventful with the babies eating and sleeping as babies are supposed to do. The Mater Hospital's volunteer driver arrived at Archerfield right on time.

Eleven month old Mitchell faces testing with his cardiologist and further help from his Occupational Therapist then a flight home with Jens Meinecke in his A36 Bonanza. With Angel Flight's help, this young and troubled family has traded 30 hours on the road and two or three night away for one overnight stay and six hours in the air."

Jens Meinecke - Pilot

Leg 2: Brisbane to Thargomindah, story by Jens Meinecke

For Jens’ most comprehensive and entertaining review please click on the following link.
http://www.jens.meinecke.name/AngelFlight/37/.

FROM REBECCA – "Just a quick mail to thank you and Angel Flight for such a quick trip to Brisbane. We are safe and sound back home in Thargomindah. The boys loved their bears."

Alister, Rebecca and Mitchell with the new twins!	Alister really doesn’t know what all the fuss is about.
Bill, Alister, Rebecca and Mitchell at Archerfield.