Events and Air Smiles Days
The Collins Family - Air Smiles Day 18th December 2011
After a week of truly terrible weather the sun shone brightly and the winds calmed down for Josh's extra special day of adventure with fly2help. Josh, a 10 year old patient at Bristol Childrens' Hospice, arrived at Cotswold Airport with his parents Steven and Sheena, and siblings Daniel and Emily.
After a warm welcome by the fly2help team and some refreshments in AV8, the family were taken on a tour of the Fire Section. They were hosted by the duty firecrew who gave them a great reception. The children were especially thrilled to be allowed to sit up in the fire truck all together and try on some of the head gear. There was a lot of giggling as they were given permission to sound the various alarms.
Then it was time for an early hot lunch in AV8 in order to be ready for the flight in the afternoon. Another surprise lay in store as two beautiful classic cars, from the Austin Healey Owners' Club, rolled up outside the restaurant with drivers Tony and Mark. First to go for a spin around the Cotswold Lanes were Sheena with Josh in one car and Steven in the other.
Upon their return they were greeted with the sight of the gleaming Malibu aircraft and its owner Steven waiting to whisk them off into the air. Josh felt very nervous about his first flight but once aboard with his parents and brother he relaxed and truly enjoyed the new and incredible sensation of being airborne in a light aircraft. The family flew off down to the southwest to see their home town of Taunton and the surrounding area.
Whilst the family did their aerial sightseeing tour Emily, who hadn't wanted to fly, had a little drive out around the airfield with fly2help volunteer Dawn and Tony at the wheel. She said she felt like a princess!
After 40 minutes the Malibu returned to Cotswold Airport and landed. Out stepped a transformed Josh who was now crazy about flying and wanted to go again. Steven had other friends to fly but very kindly offered to take Josh and Sheena up again with them for a shorter flight.
Meanwhile Steven, Daniel and Emily went to visit the Control Tower to watch them take off. After this flight Josh was elated and hugging everyone.
The December afternoon was now decidedly chilly so everyone retired to AV8 for steaming mugs of tea and some chocolate Yule Log cake. To end this very special day for Josh he, his brother and sister were presented with fly2help goody bags before we all said goodbye and wished everyone a very Happy Christmas!