Helping Wings Day - October 3rd 2015
Oh - what a perfect day ! Over the years since we’ve been running our annual event for younger children, the weather has certainly been a mixed bag. Twice, all flying had to be cancelled. The children still had a great time though, enjoying all the other activities organised for them but…
This year, however, the weather was perfect, allowing the day to run to schedule without any problems. 32 children were enrolled for the day. Together with their parents or carers, brothers and sisters, nearly 100 passengers flew around the island of Jersey in light aircraft flown by our Helping Wings volunteer pilots.
When not flying, the children were able to climb over fire engines, watch a display by the police dog handlers, be mesmerised by Chicano’s magic and generally have a great day. Lunch was provided at the Jersey Aero Club which was the base for the entire day. New for this year, the children were asked to draw aircraft. These pictures will be used to decorate the Helping Wings Christmas tree which will form part of the St Peter’s Church festivities.
It was great to see so many familiar faces but also pleasing that we’re now reaching more children through the various charities and states departments, particularly the youth service. Helping Wings Day for younger children may only be one day in the whole year but its impact can and does last much longer.
Days like this clearly don’t just happen. For the second year, the Collas-Crill Island Walk provided funding. A huge amount of organisation and work is required both before the event and on the day. The Helping Wings team would like to say an enormous thank you to all its helpers, pilots and ground crew, to Jersey Airport’s air traffic controllers and fire and rescue service, to the States of Jersey Police Dog Handlers, to the staff of the Jersey Aero Club, and most importantly to the children themselves. Without them there would be no Helping Wings Day.
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