Angel Flight

To borrow a phrase from an historic figure (Winston Churchill) and apply it to the spirit of Angel Flight:-

"Never in the field of human endeavour has so much been owed by so many to so few."

The kindness and compassion of all at Angel Flight (co-ordination centre) ..... and the number of pilots and earth angels that we have met over the past year, will always be treasured.

"Thank you so much for organising this weekend at home for Crystal-Rose and her family. I just met with the family and Crystal-Rose was so excited to tell me all about her big weekend adventure. It was such a wonderful opportunity for Crystal-Rose to have a break from the hospital and to see her home and her extended family again - the first time in a very long time!

"Sali and I were very pleased to be of service today and to undertake this Angel Flight for a remarkable young man and his family.

Rick and his carer / mother Andrea were picked up from Essendon at 14:00 for the flight to Yarrawonga after being dropped off by Sam from the Leukaemia Foundation and we shortly departed VFR for a scenic flight via Mangalore, arriving at Yarrawonga around 15:12.

Although neither Rick nor Andrea had been in a light aircraft previously they enjoyed the flight together with its air-view scenery and looked forward to getting home quickly in "Oscar" to spend quality time with family and friends. Flying for one hour certainly beats spending 4.5 hours in a car when you're not well. Both Rick and Andrea were extremely appreciative of Angel Flight's effort today offering at the last minute to fly Rick back home to Yarrawonga after having spent 6 months receiving treatment at The Alfred Hospital. Today was a day which under emotional circumstances highlighted the wonderful organisational capability of Angel Flight, the flexibility of the Angel concept working seamlessly with the Leukaemia Foundation and its supporting Earth Angel driver to deliver a much appreciated service. A big hug of thanks from Andrea said all that needed to be said for Sali & Mike.

"Absolutely fantastic. As a said before we couldn't have "recruited" a more fitting pilot than Mike. The staff at LF have become quite attached to this family over the 2 year period we have supported them and this was certainly not the outcome we had expected.

We cannot thank you enough for enabling Andrea and Rick to get home as quickly as possible. Please pass on our thanks to everyone involved."

Sue Beard, Transport & Accommodation Coordinator from the Leukaemia Foundation (M434)

"I have just returned from leave to read your information relating to the Angel Flight mission for my clients Jeanette Stevenson & Jarred Squires.

I am so very moved by your efforts into getting them to Sydney last week. I understand that it was impossible to fly into Glen Innes airport due to the harsh weather conditions here, for you to arrange in such a short time for them to fly from Armidale to Sydney on REX Airlines was amazing, I have spoken to Jeanette's mother and she has asked me to pass onto you all at Angel Flight Australia her deepest gratitude and thanks.

Also to read on to see that Tim the wonderful Earth Angel had arranged for a limousine to meet Jeanette and Jarred at the airport has touched me deeply. I am constantly amazed by the generosity of so many people as in Angel Flight Australia, Earth Angels plus many others out there who so graciously donate their time, money and efforts to assisting families and individuals who are in need such as Jeanette and Jarred and their tiny baby Elianna.

On behalf of the Volunteer Home Visiting Service Glen Innes area, I wish to thank you and all at Angel Flight Australia & Earth Angels everywhere, and most of all to Angel Flight founder Bill Bristow for having the foresight and the compassion for others who are in need all over Australia."

Catherine Donald, Consultant, Volunteer Home Visiting Service (M423)

"I am very impressed with the service you are providing and I thank you all for delivery these young boys to their clinic appoinment!"

"I want to thank Angel Flight for re-scheduling our flight home to Wodonga from Melbourne today due to bad weather. Both Aden and his sister Darci thoroughly enjoyed their flight home on Regional Express REX. The excitement of going on a 'big' plane was enough to make Aden forget about his chemotherapy treatment he'd received this afternoon. Our flight experienced some turbulence, but I am proud to say my two children did their best to keep the other 30 passengers at ease with exclamations of joy and laughter as they experienced being thrown around in their seats!

Angel Flight and the wonderful volunteers we have met over the past three months have helped make the journey of Aden's recovery an easier one. Thanks from the bottom of my heart."

Faye D'Helin (M392)

"I would just like to say after doing three Angel flights from Portland to Melbourne you guys and the pilots are true angels. You have made our trips to hospital for my little boy so much easier and more bearable for him. Locky now loves to fly and always has the earphones on so he can talk to the pilot usually all the way home.

Angel Flight has made such a difference to our lives and has truely touched our lives forever. Please except my sincere thanks in all you have done for my family and especially for little Locky. Once again I thank all of you, all those angels out there that have helped Locky."

"Thanks for that I will remember to watch. I think it is about time that people were able to see and recognise the good work and commitment that the Angel Flight team have to assisting people during extremely difficult times. I hope that this opens the eyes of the nation to the work that you do. We thank you."

Tania Goodman, Social Worker, Burns Unit, Royal Brisbane Hospital
(Regarding Angel Flight's guest spot on the ABC's "Talking Heads" Programme)

"Hello, it was a privilege to be able to use the services of Angel Flight. From dealing with your coordinator to the plane arriving in Oodnadatta was an experience in dealing very caring people who were both helpful and practical and willing to pull out all the stops. Thank you"

"Wendy sounds great and as always so positive. We mentioned how pleasurable it is to work with your organised, professional and smooth-line operation system at Angel Flight. You should all feel confident and we compliment you by the service that you provide. It has been a privilege to be a humble part of your network.

We both thank you and look forward to continuing the relationship with you at other times. Happy to help where we can to return the service."

Megan McDermott, Breast Care Nurse
Primary Health Department, Collie Health Service (M335)

"I am still amazed at all your energy as a group. Your reports always bring tears to my eyes. I hope you realise the difference you make to people's lives. The service I co-ordinate at the Mater Children's has been able to complete a total rural package now for our little one's to attend their hospital appointments, and admissions. Previously many our these children did not get to the hospital as the trip was too long and painful for them in a bus or train. Now they have marvellous door to door treatment, with lots of loving care.So thank you. Must tell you something funny though. The kids have smiles from ear to ear and chatter about their trip. However some parents take time to get their land legs again."

Mary Mackinnon, Care Co-ordinator, Complex Care Service
Mater Chidren's Hospital (M297)

"Thank you for all your work in making Monday go really well. The flight went well and it was great for Annabelle. We also really appreciated Richard driving us to and from Princess Margaret Hospital. It was an incredible kind experience to have people offer their services as they did on Monday. And it certainly made a difference for us. I will be willing to do some publicity if it is needed, depending on what it was, to offer our appreciation regarding everyone's efforts."

Robyn Halligan, Mother of passenger
Geraldton to Perth - (M334)

IN LOVING MEMORY OF BEAU GRIFFITHS

"It has been an absolute pleasure working alongside you and your team over the past year and look forward to another busy 12 months helping those who so desperately need our assistance. Whilst our services may seem small in comparison with the incredible work being undertaken for the victims of the Tsunami disaster, it is still extremely important and vital to those who would otherwise not receive treatment."Keep up the good work - well done! Best wishes and kind regards.

"On behalf of the Glen Innes Volunteer Home Visiting Service I would like to extend to all at Angel Flight Australia and to the Earth Angels our thanks to those who so generously assisted our Inverell clients on their recent trip to Newcastle so that their infant son could undertake his 3 monthly specialists visits for his chronic lung disorder.

The family are so very grateful for the wonderful assistance and support they received from everyone."

Catherine Donald, Consultant / Volunteer Home Visiting Services (M292)

"It’s funny until my niece told me about Angel Flights I had never heard of you. But since your help with Luke’s illness we have had many friends who have said they have seen advertisements on the TV about your organisation.Again thank you.... all of you.... from all of us, from my husband Simon, from Luke and Melissa, from Gracemarie and from me. Its people like you that keep your faith in humanity alive. You should all feel proud of yourselves and the job you are doing.Take care and good luck with everything all of you do. You ARE ANGELS!! All of you.... and from the bottom of my heart, thank you again so very very much. "

Kindest regards
Jane Blacket, Simon Blacket and Luke Blacket (M262)

Commonwealth Carelink Centre (M233)

"Thank you for your assistance with this family. I was fortunate to attend Zoe's funeral in Geraldton, and was very humbled by the great support offered by friend and the wider community to this lovely family. The family had a song made by some school friends which was played which was lovely, and released butterflies. I will continue to be in contact with this family and will pass on your condolences."

"We just wanted to drop a line to say thank you to Angel Flight and our Pilots Peter Driver and Ray Tulloch.

A car trip from Roma to Brisbane usually takes between 7-8 hours.

Michael (my son) is severely disabled and with frequent stops for feeding, toileting and so forth it can be a very long and tiring drive for all of us.

Not so this time, on Tuesday 3rd November we were fortunate enough to be picked up by Angel Flight and arrived in Brisbane after a 2 hour stress free flight, even my mother who has never flown before and was incredibly nervous enjoyed the flight.

Our pilots Peter and Ray both told us that it was their first time with Angel Flight and my mum and I will be forever grateful they generously gave of their time and their planes.

With the world the way it is today it is nice to know that there are "Angels" out there who are happy to lighten someone’s load freely giving to others and expecting nothing in return.

Thank you once again for your kindness and generosity. As my 11 year old daughter would say, "you guys rock".

Kind regards
Judi, Michael and Yvonne Partridge (M203)

"Thank you so much for arranging Ella's flight. It certainly meant that she arrived safely and didn't have the added stress of worrying about transport on top of her surgery.

She recovered well and got good results. She couldn't speak more highly of Angel Flight and how smooth the whole process was for her.Thank you once again, we will certainly keep you in mind for future patients."

"Keep up the great work for a wonderful charity - with a dad who has a great interest in planes/flying and is a member of the local aeroclub, and also fighting leukaemia I think it's a wonderful initiative. While he has been fortunate to still be able to drive himself, with my mum, to Adelaide for treatment, others aren't so fortunate and I think it's just great that so many people are willing to give up their time and money to help others."

"It's heart warming to read the lovely stories in EZINE. Thank you for the inspiring updates and keep up the great work in and out of the skies."

Bertilla Campbell
Clinical Coordinator
District Nursing & Associated Services
Sunraysia Community Health
Mildura"

"To those who we have never met at Angel Flight, who work tirelessly behind the scenes, leaving nothing to chance, you truly are miracle workers. With all our hearts we thank-you for everything you have done to make our mission possible and for making our load seem weightless in comparison.

"I would like to tell you how much I appreciate all of your and Angel Flight's help, this means so much to Rebecca and myself. This little boy has the face of an Angel and is the love of my life, he can make you laugh and just as easy make you cry. He can make you so amazed with his talent or he can frustrate you to the point of tears. Yesterday, Rebecca was at her wits end, so I went and took him for the day. By the end of yesterday, after I dropped him back home, I just plonked myself in a bean chair, exhausted and cried myself to sleep. So I'm so grateful for your assistance and I hope that the Royal Far West can get grip on what is wrong with Travis so that we can have some normality in our lives. I will let you know how we get on."

"Congratulations on the story done on the channel Nine show Sunday. It was fantastic and it was a real joy to watch. I felt very proud indeed to see the wonderful story and know that I am apart of Angel Flight as an Earth Angel, and know that I might be able to help out at some stage when I am available. As someone who has been involved with rescue work as a volunteer crewman I know the importance of helping others and it is good to see that Angel Flight is doing this and that there are a lot of very kind hearted people out there willing to lend a hand and that is fantastic. To everyone who is involved... keep up the great work and I look forward to hearing from Angel Flight very soon."

"Hi, I just saw a news clip of the service you guys do from Channel 9 Melbourne. Just an email to say good on you all for providing such a service as when I saw it on TV with you guys helping the sick it touched my heart. So here's an email to thank you guys for being around. I'm a small fish in this big world but I just wanted to email you anyway."

“We saw the Angel Flight advertisement on the television and now instead of the trip being a real drag for Thommo, he counted the number of sleeps before the ‘big adventure’ as he had never been on a light aircraft before. It’s absolutely fantastic, in fact it’s unbelievable that there are people willing to help us out like this it’s truly amazing.”

"It's absolutely wonderful that they (Kerry and Rory Delaney) have given up their time to help us without getting anything in return. We are really grateful for their help and it's nice to know there are still people in this world who will help others for no reason."

"I know that if I do a lot of activity I will get really sore, but I try and live my life as though it's not a problem, I can't just give up. There are people worse off than me, but it's nice to know that we're being helped by Angel Flight because it can be difficult living in such an isolated community."

"We feel very honoured to be part of the Angel Flight Team, although we do not do it for any sort of recognition, we like to help as our way of saying thank you for the help that you gave to us.

Thank you for this wonderful Certificate of Appreciation, it will always be special to us as we feel that all of the Angel Flight Team are just such a special group of people."

"I have been asked to give a talk to the local Probus group regarding Angel Flight. This is what I have put together from my point of view. I thought it was better to talk from the heart as to how and why we required your services." Download the speech (Word doc)

"I would just like to thank you for all the help and support over the last few months, it has made Maureen's treatment a lot easier and now as we face the last of the chemo treatments, her family and friends and especially Maureen thank you and all the other wonderful people who have taken time out of their busy lives and helped in saving one. It has also made a little town so strong and the support that is shown, not only to Maureen, but to all those other people who have used and are going to use Angel Flight. It makes (me) feel so proud to be here and be amongst some of the best people alive."

"Happy Birthday to everyone at Angel Flight. Be assured that the pilots and all others associated with Angel Flight have made a big difference to Violet's ability to cope with her current treatment. Her family and I are very grateful. Many thanks and HIP HIP HOORAY!!"

"When I heard about this service I thought it was just for isolated children, but when I went on the web-site I discovered they also help people just like me... It's absolutely fantastic and I just can't thank them enough. It's just taken so much pressure off me and I know it could do the same for others in Brewarrina who are worse off than me."

"Thank you for all the info regarding Jasmine's Angel Flight. I have talked with Linda, her Mum, and she has told me they are "travelling in style" - they are quite excited about it. Thank you once again for all your help with this. It truly is a wonderful service you are providing!"

"I don't think people who live in the city realize how stressful it is to drive such long distances with a sick child. You have to be constantly on the alert for kangaroos, stray cattle on the road and feeling tired. I'm really amazed that these wonderful pilots understand and want to help us. We can't thank them enough."Read the 'thank you to Angel Flight' letter from Glen Causon.

"When you live in a fairly remote area life can be quite difficult not having all the resources of those living in a city. But everyone has been really wonderful including our own "Bush Teddies" who told us about Angel Flight. I just can't find the words to thank all of them for helping us out and making life a bit easier for all of us."

"I am writing to you to express our gratitude to Angel Flight in assisting one of our families from the remote Queensland town of Thargomindah ........."

"I’m really grateful to Angel Flight for helping me in this way," Colin said. "When I saw the Angel Flight on TV I thought it was only for children and didn’t realize they could help me, so when I heard that it is for people like me I could hardly believe it."

"Thank you so much, the flight down to Adelaide was great. The kids loved it. It made things so much better only 1.5hr and we were there. (The pilots) Warren (Barrington) was fantastic so was Susan (Chase). Also the Earth Angels (David Carter and Marg Barry) were great. Thank you all."

"This is a fantastic service and I would like to extend my sincere thank you to the organisation, pilots and earth angels for their committment.And Bradley, I had a tear in my eye too, knowing that you shared your angel bear with your brother. You're very lucky to have such a wonderful family and so much support."

Gill Churchett (mission 56)
Executive Officer/Director of Nursing, Kimba Campus Eastern Eyre Health & Aged Care

"While sitting quietly in the cool last evening, I asked Paul what he thought about the days events. He started going back to his days of gliding and planes in Latvia. He was unable to eat breakfast because he was so nervous and excited. He told all of the people at th hospital how he got to Melbourne, much to their amazement.
He is also going to write to his nephew in Latvia and tell him of your amazing service. He was finding it hard to believe that he had been to Peter Mac and back again all due to the generosity and time of people he did not know and who did not know him. I asked if he would go again and the answer was an emphatic yes. Paul said, "Now I remember what flying is like I'm not worried and will continue to carry on the treatment." He also talked about the increase in his rest time due to the help provided. It was a great relief for me to be able to work together with such a great team of professionals. Thank you and bless you all for your fantastic program."

"The Angel Flight Pilots are exactly what the name depicts 'they're angels". We had one changeover each way, 2 planes for each trip, smooth flights, lovely conversation, the children had plenty of food (I didn't need to take anything) ... I'm sure you've all heard the questions (from children on long journeys) 'Are we there yet!?' ... 'How much longer!?'. These people (the pilots) have the patience of Saints! So from (all of) us to (all of) you, a very special thanks."

"You have just given my Mother-in-law her first flight from Coonamble to Orange for chemo, and I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart, she was home in bed before the drugs started to take over. I would love to help raise funds for such a well worthwhile organisation."

"Macair Airlines is proud to be a supporter of Angel Flight and the wonderful work that you do! We have all at some time had family members in need and would hope that someone would be there for them. It is nice to know that even in our fast paced lifestyle we lead today that there are people in our community that are still caring enough to help in some way when the need arises.Well done Angel Flight for your caring and keep up the great work!!"

“... Angel Flight is helping me retain my sanity. Being able to take Mark
home to nurse him will help me get myself back together physically and
emotionally and I just don’t know what we would have done without them.”

"I also want to thank all of the Angel Flight Angels and (Earth) Angels for the amazing service they provide. Before this service we would have had to say to some of these clients, who are in such a traumatic space, that we were unable to find transport. In some previous cases this meant that clients did not receive lifesaving treatment or were unable to support or be with there loved ones during the medical crisis. It has been such a pleasure working with efficiency and decisiveness and has made our job much more rewarding as we have been able to offer solutions to ease some of the pain and trauma that our amazing clients go through. Both Pam and I thank you all and hope we can assist many more people."

I don't know where to start to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts. The extent to which Angel Flight helped us was incredible and I will always sing your praises. Thanks so much.

I'm home now and have had injections of my 'magic drug' Forteo. No adverse side effects to date, so keeping fingers crossed.

We saw your advertisement again last night and oh, it was so much more real. Many people I speak to have seen it and know what I'm talking about when I mention you. They say that they didn't even know about you before seeing the ads. So, they're working.

Thanks again.
Annette

"Thanks for all your help with (Richard and Joy), I know they are eternally grateful. I was so glad that he was able to get to Adelaide to attempt this treatment. Ta for the little bear, he has pride of place at the top of my computer."

Jane Kirkham - Coordinator Palliative Care, Domiciliary Care Port Augusta
Hospital.

"The opportunity for this exceptional person (Jennifer, who has ovarian cancer) to obtain quality rehabilitation would, honestly, never have been possible without your incredibly generous organisation, the obviously caring and compassionate pilots, the administrative people and other volunteers who pull it all together. It's a fact that as residents of a small isolated rural community, we have to accept the barriers of long distance travel (lack of appropriate transport, expense, time, comfort) which challenge the strong and hardy, and prove to be often insurmountable for those who are young, old and/or frail.
Angel Flight has managed to dismantle these barriers for our colleague (and I'm sure for many others as well) and in doing so, bringing great comfort and a sense of peace of mind to them and their loved ones. A sincere thank-you hardly seems enough, however please accept our thanks, and our very best wishes for the continued success of your worthy organisation." Gail, Community Health Centre - Hay Hospital"Thank you so much for enabling me to have the opportunity to travel to Qld with Angel Flight. I would not have been able to make the long trip by car, and with my ongoing medical expenses the cost of commercial travel was out of the question. I can honestly say that the best part of the whole week was the 2 flights. I have never liked flying, but really loved my experience with Angel Flight. Both Mick and Noel (Angel Pilots) were wonderful, and I felt very safe and comfortable flying with them. It was great to be able to have the 'time out', it gave me the chance to forget about needles, chemo and more needles for a while (I hate needles!!). So now I am ready to face what lies ahead, and get on with the job of healing and returning to a normal life."

"Just a quick THANKS! for the fantastic response and support given to Len and his wife with their recent trip to Melbourne. Len phoned me today after successful surgery in Melbourne. He couldn't speak highly enough of Robert Watt (Angel Pilot) and the service he provided. What a truly amazing service you and your volunteer pilots are providing to the Australian community."

"Thank you for the Angel Flight service. It is great. People like you make the world a nicer place to be."

"Everything went off without a hitch! ....... I was grateful for the smoothest flight I have ever been on in both small and commercial aircraft. This could be attributed to Trevor's many skills and wealth of experience. Mum was very soon relaxed and nodding off! Dad has raved all day about his front seat flight, what the various instruments were for etc...and how he thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. It was just made extra special by Sue providing a lovely, unexpected morning tea after her friendly welcome.
The second part of the surprise this afternoon, was our visit to see Shian - she was sooo excited and thrilled with her belated 7th birthday present! Thank you sincerely for a letting us have some wonderful first off experiences and fond memories around this difficult time. We are extremely grateful to all who are involved with Angel Flight, for all they have done."

"On behalf of the Grey family and CFQ - a big thank you! Debbie was overwhelmed with the gesture. And, I was so pleased that Jason was able to be a part of the day; this was a show of his strength and commitment to fight cystic fibrosis. Again thank you all for the good work you are doing and to your pilots who commit their time and resources. We hope to be involved in other missions in the future."

Thank you for such sensitive handling of a distressing time for me and please also pass on my thanks to the pilots who had been arranged to assist with the flights. It is marvelous to know there is an organisation of such genuine caring and kindness available to those in urgent need with travel. I have enclosed a cheque for Angel Flight in memory of my dear dad. Please accept it with my gratitude."

"I am writing to thank Angel Flight for (arranging) for Michael to be with his grandson Cody during Cody's stay in hospital. You would have been delighted if you had seen the look on Cody's face when his grandfather walked into the room. It was very helpul for Cody's rehabilitation that his grandfather was able to be present during his therapy sessions."
Paula - Senior Social Worker, Queensland Paediatric Rehabilitation Service - Royal Children's Hospital"The 'Angels' did a wonderful job, and it was appreciated by Cody and his mum. As you are aware it meant that Valerie was able to have one day away from home (instead of having to stay away overnight) and avoid a very long and tiring road trip with Cody. Please convey our thanks and appreciation to both Bill and Clyde (Angel Pilots) and to Brian (Earth Angel) for driving Cody and Valerie from Archerfield. As with my previous experience with Angel Flight, I was very impressed with the organisation, coordination and professionalism of all involved. Cody was particularly excited when landing in Brisbane. Both Valerie and Cody were less exhausted than usual following a visit to the hospital. I look forward to working with you in the future."

Paula Wood - Senior Social Worker, Qld Paediatric Rehabilitation Service,
RCH Brisbane