MISSION 85 - TAMWORTH / BANKSTOWN / TAMWORTH

Blind since birth, Jasmine needs regular treatment and review at Sydney’s Children’s Hospital for a hormone and thyroid deficiency. Until now, it has been extremely difficult for Jasmine to attend for these appointments, mainly due to the distance she needs to travel by road and train, which can often take 9 or 10 hours each way because of the need to wait for connections. On top of this, there are two other small children, Kayla [3] and Jahmal [5 months] who frequently have to accompany them on their trips because of the difficulty of getting carers for the three days they need to be in Sydney.

"I have to take Jasmine to the Children’s Hospital, three or four times a year," Ms Porter said.

"The children, and I, find this quite exhausting and it’s also hard because I haven’t really got money to spare and it makes it really difficult for me. I think we’re pretty lucky to get help from Angel Flight in this way; in fact I’m lost for words. It’s quite exciting to know there’s someone out there for people like us to help us out and it will make a big difference."

This story appearing Tamworth Advertiser.


John Lewis - Pilot

 


Rory Delaney - Earth Angel

Angel Flight 1 by John Lewis

This special act of kindness is being carried out by a Sydney businessman, John Lewis, who will use his personal corporate jet, a Cessna Citation / CJ525 to carry out his first mission as an Angel Flight pilot. Whilst reluctant to talk about himself, as he believes the focus should be on the people Angel Flight is helping, he said that a personal experience had influenced him to help others, especially those living in remote areas and needing medical help.

"Ten years ago our son, was born prematurely and had to be airlifted from Katoomba to Westmead hospital. This was quite scary and it brought home to me the importance of having air transport available in these situations. Later on our son was diagnosed with diabetes and this has added to my understanding of the necessity of having medical help easily available."

Mr. Lewis said that as soon as he heard about Angel Flight he registered as a volunteer pilot.

"We have the ability to help in this way, and if our aircraft is not being used in its commercial capacity, why not put it to use and help someone else. Many of us think that the need for such help will never happen to us, but I have been woken up to the fact that it can happen to me and to you."


Kylie & David Rampa - Pilots

Angel Flight 2 comments by David Rampa

"The flight was uneventful and we had Linda and Jasmine on the ground in Tamworth at 6.20pm. Kylie, myself, and Lula (the Hound) then returned to Bankstown arriving at about 8.00pm.

Another satisfying AngelFlight completed."

Graham Bentley - Earth Angel and Pilot Helper

Angel Flight comment by Graham Bentley

"Collected Linda and Jasmine at SCH at 3.20 pm and drove them to Bankstown arriving around 4.15 pm. We met David and Kylie at 4.35 pm and they took of for Tamworth at 4.55 pm. Pix taken at Bankstown - Linda, Jasmine, Kylie and David and the hound. Also Piper Saratoga VH-SUU"
 
Linda, Jasmine, Kylie & David.
 
 
Linda, Jasmine, Kylie, David and Lulu (the hound).