Angel Flight

MISSION 79 - BATHURST / BANKSTOWN / BATHURST

SUBSEQUENT TRIP for Justin Webster, a 7 year old, who broke his collarbone in April 2003. He has had an operation for stabilization, bone graft and internal fixation of his right clavicle at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Cherylee, Justin’s mum, is a single parent who is raising a family of four children (ages 11, 7, 9 and 16 months). The family has limited local support and does not have a car. Prior to Angel Flight’s help the family endured five stressful and exhausting return journeys to Sydney for hospital appointments traveling by bus and train.

This trip Justin had the stitches removed, x-rays, CT scans and ultrasound as part of the post-operative checks.

Special note - A haematoma (localized swelling filled with blood) developed in Justin’s shoulder soon after the operation. It was being monitored and doctors strongly recommend an Angel flight to minimise the chance of the haematoma being aggravated and/or moved.

You can read about Justin’s first Angel Flight mission (M60).

Peter Gibson - Pilot	Angel Flight 1 report by Peter Gibson "All went well. It was pity that the weather was not the best - there was quite a strong South Easterley today, making it rather slow and bumpy on the trip from Bathurst. Cherlyee, Justin and little Quade were lovely. Thanks for the opportunity and very best wishes to Angel Flight."
Bryan Padwick - Earth Angel	Comment by Bryan Padwick "The pilot, Peter Gibson, who flew them down from Bathurst probably deserves a medal ... it would have been a very bumpy trip."

Greg Ackman - Pilot	Angel Flight 2 report by Greg Ackman "The mission has been completed successfully and Justin and his family have been safely delivered to Bathurst Airport. Bryan Padwick and his wife Peggy delivered the family to Bankstown Airport at 11.15 am and we departed for Bathurst at 11:35 am and an uneventful pleasant flight was had by all. Arriving at Bathurst at 12.15 pm we were met by Justin’s grandmother. I took the initiative and invited the family for lunch in town at my expense. We enjoyed a very nice meal at Ziggies Café in Bathurst and then they dropped me back to the airport were we showed Justin through a hangar and he also hopped aboard a Yak 52 for a photo opportunity. Justin had such a good time that he wanted to come back with me to Camden but this was not to be and so some tears were forthcoming. I promised him that when he returns to Sydney we would again meet up if possible. I would like to further add that the whole exercise was most enjoyable and rewarding and I look forward with anticipation to my next mission." Bryan, Quade, Cherylee, Peggy & Justin at Bankstown. Justin ready to return home. "Been there, done that!" Burragarang Valley. Greg with his new co-pilot. All safe at home. YAK52 at Bathurst Airport. "Now hang on a minute Justin!"