ANGEL FLIGHT REUNITES BINGARA FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS
When Bingara Mum, Kim Jobson, took her eight-year-old son Matthew to see a doctor early in October, little did she realize that it would be almost ten weeks before they would be returning home.
Diagnosed with Acute Leukaemia, Matthew was rushed to Sydney Children’s Hospital where he has been receiving chemotherapy for this life-threatening illness.
“I was absolutely devastated when I got the news and was on my own with him at the time and that made it worse,” Kim said.
“He’s doing much better now although he’s lost a lot of weight and the treatment knocks him about. He’s still got a long way to go, but we’ll get through it and beat it and then we can get on with our lives again.”
Whilst Kim remains positive and hopeful for the future, the last few weeks have been really hard for them both being so far from home.
“We are not used to being away from home for that long and Matthew misses his sister and brothers and being able to play football with his friends,” Kim said.
“I didn’t think there was any hope of us being home for Christmas, but the doctors ('at the eleventh hour') said Matthew can go home for about a week and then return for about another six months of treatment.”
However, an eight-hour road journey home was not a possibility for Matthew in his condition and this is where Angel Flight came to the rescue organising for Matthew and Kim to fly home with Big Sky Express.
“I really can’t thank Angel Flight enough,” Kim said.
“Going home for Christmas has done wonders for Matthew and he is looking much better. His eyes have lit up and he’s smiling a lot more. This has made a big difference and has helped all of us face the next six months.”
Tim Murphy - Earth Angel
Tim arranged for a limo
at his expense.
(Tim's 4th Mission)
Angel flight 1 by Big Sky Express
on Christmas Eve
Previous missions for Big Sky - M156 AF1, M212 AF2 and M227 AF1.
Due to the short notice of this compassionate request Angel Flight purchased two specially discounted tickets for Matthew and Kim on Big Sky Express.
Chris J Lee - Pilot
Ian Dagger - Earth Angel (Ian's 16th mission)
Angel flight 2 by Chris Lee
Previous missions by Chris Lee - M59 AF1, M64 AF2, M106 AF1 and M167 AF2.
“Trip went well. Landed at Bingara at 0945 to find a small send-off group of 4 cars and about 10 people. Trip back was smooth and both Kim and Matthew seemed comfortable. Ian was waiting for us when we parked at Airtex and took Kim and Matthew off to Ronald McDonald House.”
A country town send off for Matthew and Kim.
Kim, Matthew, Chris - and a "stowaway" in the back seat!