FIVE-YEAR-OLD GIRL ON FIRST ANGEL FLIGHT OUT OF NARRANDERA

On Monday 21st February the community of Narrandera and Coleambally experienced a number of “Firsts”:

• 1st Angel Flight Mission out of Narrandera.
• 1st Angel Flight Mission for Coleambally farmer and pilot Steve Burgess.
• 1st plane trip for two passengers from Narrandera.
• 1st visit to Sydney for these very special passengers.

Whilst passenger five-year-old Chloe Morgan waited with excited anticipation for her first ever flight with an “angel”, her young mother Bobby Jo grew more and more nervous.

The excitement and nervous tension was understandable as neither of them had flown before, nor had they ever left the community surrounding Narrandera.

And for Bobby Jo there was also apprehension about the outcome of their trip, the purpose of which was for Chloe to be assessed by specialists at Sydney Children’s Hospital.

“I’ve known that Chloe had a problem since she was a baby but the doctors didn’t know what was wrong,” Bobby Jo said.

“When she was really little she was very clumsy and one side of her body was growing bigger than the other. At one time the doctors thought she had suffered a stroke because her left side is really weak and the muscles have been dissolving, but they have now ruled that out.”

“Chloe is a happy little girl with a bright personality but I am really worried about what is going on with her,” Bobby Jo said.

Faced with leaving their local community for the first time and concerned about the effect that a long journey by road would have on Chloe, Bobby Jo was relieved when she found out that she didn’t have to face the experience on her own.

“The Social Worker at Sydney Children’s Hospital told me about Angel Flight and whilst I am nervous about flying I am just so thankful that I did’t have to put Chloe through such a long and stressful trip,” she said.

Awaiting press coverage

“My mother came along (on our flights) and there was Earth Angel Graham Bentley who met us when we got to Sydney and took us to and from the hospital. Honestly, I would have been lost without them all and just want to say a very big thanks to Graham and especially to the wonderful pilots Steve and Shaun!

Bobby Jo”

Steve Burgess - Pilot

Angel flight 1 by Steve Burgess
First mission for Steve.

ABOUT STEVE
It was Steve's lifelong love of flying and commitment to helping others that motivated him to sign up as an Angel Flight Pilot and he looked forward to his first mission.

“I was fascinated with flying as a very small boy and just loved the concept of flight. I used to flap my arms and wondered why I couldn’t fly like a bird and longed for the day when I could go high above the ground and look down on the earth beneath. Now I have my own plane and think it’s great that I’m in a position to use it to help people who can’t help themselves and I feel fantastic about it,” Steve said.

Whilst Steve is very involved in his community as a member of Lions and other groups he says that his first Angel flight was a bit different to anything he has done before.

“I have two vibrantly healthy kids and the fact that my eldest daughter is the same age as Chloe makes this a very special thing for me to do. As a parent of healthy children I try and put myself in the place of parents who aren’t so fortunate and especially those with sick children who aren’t well off financially and think how difficult it must be for them.  It makes me feel good being able to offer them something,” Steve said.

Steve's comment after the flight

"Just a quick note to say that the flight went well and all three passengers arrived safely at Bankstown at 12:30pm where we were met by Graham. We have received some excellent media coverage down here for the flight. ALL of the local news papers have reported it as well as the radio stations and the local TV news (Win Griffith) did what I thought was an excellent story, really pushed the cause well I felt."

Comment by Graham Bentley, Earth Angel AF1

"Met Steve, Bobby Jo, Denise and Chloe at Bankstown at 1220. They told me they were interviewed by media at Narrandera and had a good flight with a few bumps coming over the ranges. Bobby Jo said she closed her eyes as they landed! Left Bankstown at 1230 and dropped them at SCH Randwick main entrance at 1310."

Denise, Chloe, Bobby Jo and Steve.

Angel flight 2 comment by Shaun Aisen
Previous missions for Shaun Aisen - M151 AF1, M164 AF2, M174 AF1, M183 AF1, M202 AF1, M213 AF1, M221 AF1&2. Shaun also donated his plane for M91 and co-piloted on M91 AF2.

"Well, here goes...

It had been a big week out for little Chloe, mum Bobby Jo and grandma Denise. I think the family was looking forward to getting home.

Although a little warm at Bankstown and even warmer at Narrandera, it really was a smooth, uneventful 85 min flight to Narrandera where Chloe's uncle waited their arrival. Until next time."

Graham Bentley - Earth Angel
(Graham's 35th mission)

Comment by Graham Bentley, Earth Angel AF2

"Picked up Denise, Bobby Jo and Chloe at SCH Randwick at 0945 and drove them to Bankstown arriving at 1025. Shaun was waiting and they took off for Narrandera at 1050.
 
As I was watching them depart I heard an inbound call for another Angel Flight, and yet another AF. I had the pleasure of meeting Earth Angels Sue Terry, George Srank, Luke Terry, their respective passengers and the respective pilots all within in the next half hour. A busy morning for AF at Bankstown!
 
It was good to see Scott Seacombe looking much happier after his visit to NS Private."

Denise, Chloe, Shaun and Bobby Jo.