MY ANGEL FLIGHT

A week before my operation in July, 2006, I had to see Dr Selber. He is the surgeon who did my operation to make my legs straight.

It's a long way to Sydney and Graham Bell (my Pilot) took me the whole 400km, without a doubt. He landed the plane at Bankstown airport. Then an ambulance took me to Westmead Kids Hospital.

Graham waited all day for me to come back. Then he flew us back home in his beautiful little white Piper plane. I would just like to mention that without Angel Flight this would not be possible.

Thanks Graham.

From Gemma Byrnes

Click hear to see Gemma's card

To Whom It May Concern,

My husband, Dick Eather and myself were flown home from Brisbane yesterday by your wonderful service. Our charming Pilot was Ed, flying conditions were perfect and his flight plan took us right over our home. So what could be better?

Susan, our Earth Angel collected us on time and lugged our belongings about and got us to Redcliffe on time and was very sweat. What a wonderful service. We couldn't travel by car for at least 6 weeks and then it would be an 8 hour journey. So we are very grateful to all concerned.

Our Social Worker was most impressed and found your group pleasant to work with and treasures her Angel Bear - as we do. It's above our bed taking care of us. That is until the first great grandchild visits. The we will probably loose him. Many thanks to all concerned, you are in our prayers.

Best Wishes, Vida and Dick Eather

Hi,

My name is Fran Anderson and I would like to thank you all at angel flight for what you have done for our family. Our first flight was mission 933.

My husband Garry passed away in September last year after his battle with lung cancer. We very much appreciated what your pilots and ground crew did for our family. I remember when we arrived in Brisbane on one occasion it was a long weekend and the ground angel offered to find a shop so we could get some milk and bread as we only flew with essentials. Because I cannot drive long distances friends and family had to drive us to and from Brisbane as my husband was too sick to travel by bus. For the first 6 months of last year we would spend approx 10 days at home and then 10 days in Brisbane so it was a blessing to us to be able to access angel flight and take the stress off loved ones. As Garry got sicker it was also a blessing for him to only spend 1 hour in the air rather than 6 hours or more by road. The treatments at the Mater gave us more precious time with my husband and our children got to see him more because we were able to go home for that period of ten days between treatment.

Garry James Anderson welcomed into eternal life 14th Sep 2006. Inspiration to us all. Till we meet again.

Thanks again,
Fran , Jamie-lee, Jodie & Christel Anderson

"Some students in year 10 from Southern Highlands Christian School are tyring to raise $5,000 to go towards a charity of our choice. We chose to do 'Angel Flight' . There are 17 students attending this walkathon, which we decided to call 'Walk the Line'. Each student is wishing to raise at least $300. We are walking from the Light House in Wollongong to the Centre Point Tower in Sydney over a period of five days. I would therefore like to ask you to help us to achieve this goal of raising $5000 for Angel Flight. Thank you."

Southern Highlands Christian School

To all of you who care so much

Thank you from the core of my being for being there to help my grandaughter and her little boy. Please, we are retired and live near Coffs Harbour if there is anyway we can help keep this wonderful, blessed charity going please let me know.

Bess Hall

My grandaughter is Loralie Wesble and her son is Deon, he has hypo plastic left heart syndrome they flew from Kempsey to Melbourne

"Well, here we are back at home at 5.30pm with dinner on the way, kids bathed and a glass of wine in hand. Just thought I would take the time to say a great big thank-you for our trip with you to Townsville today, which of course goes nowhere towards showing my appreciation. What a change from our normal scenario. Picked up at 8.45 and back at 2.30 same day. How good was that. Even enough time to pick up Ash, the little sister from school. I truely can't say thank-you enough to Paul (our pilot) and the rest of the crew from Angel Flight. Somehow we went from one exhausted little girl (and Mum) after 3 days travel, to one who is still bright and bubbly ready to take on the world (and ready to face school tomorrow.) As you know we have up until now been faced with a 13 hour return trip to Townsville for regular appointments and to somehow transform that into a 2 and a 1/2 hour return trip is just magnificent. We were so pleased that Channel 7 and other media were available and hopefully could promote the Angel Flight service in the Central Queensland region. As for Stefanie's care, we are waiting now to see if a bone conduction aid in Brisbane will be powerful enough to help her and assist with her constant ear infections. We can only hope. So once again, we think you guys are tops and will be forever thankful for your care".

Jayney and Stef (9Years) Shearman,Moranbah

"On behalf of the Mildura Base Hospital and Wendi, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Angel Flight for their assistance in reuniting Wendi with her daughter in Queensland and arriving safely at the Nambour Hospital safely. Jenny (escort) was extremely impressed with the service and assitance the airlines gave and told us everything went without a problem.

Never underestimate the joy and pleasure Angel Flight are able to provide to the many people who are in need of such a service. I know Wendi was extremely appreciative, as were we, of your generosity and wish the best for future missions."

Stewart Lawrie, Social Worker at Mildura Base Hospital for Wendi Quinlan (M1030)

"Thankyou so much for your assistance with this unfortunate young woman.
Your ability to respond so promptly is greatly appreciated by the whole team here at Peter Mac"


Kate Thompson, Senior Social Worker, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (M1023)

"I just want to say thank you for all your help over the past few months.

Sadly, Tycheyah Murray passed away on Wednesday the 19th of April. She is dearly missed by her little brother Ezakye and the rest of the family.

But we really appreciate all your help. Without you guys we probably wouldn't have gotten this far.

So thanks heaps

Diana Mason" (Mother)

A thank you card from Grace and family

"Just a breif note from Cameron & myself to say THANKYOU to Angel Flight for our recent trip to & from Sydney. Being able to access the Earth Angels & Small Aircraft made Camerons trip a lot less anxious.The pilots were fantastic, such a smooth ride. We are very grateful for everyone who was involved in our trip & would just like to say THANKYOU.

Yours Sincerly
Kate & Cameron Pollard"

Mother & Father of Cameron (M827)

M775

" I just wanted to say what an awesome organisation you have and what a huge difference these wonderful volunteers make to the lives of those who need it.  My mother, Helen Cooney, has been lucky enough to catch flights to Toowoomba for her fortnightly chemo treatments and just cutting out those hours travelling has made such a difference.
 
So a HUGE thank you to all the pilots, Earth Angels and those involved.
 
With warmest wishes,
Julie Cooney"

Daughter of Helen Cooney (M775)

"My name is Barend and I am from South Africa.

My little girl Idonette (staying in Casterton) is one of the many people you're currently fly to Melbourne and back.

I am SO worried about her, and i can't afford to come and visit her, but to hear what wonderful people in Australia are, gives me great comfort.

So thank you very very much for your help and assistance! You are indeed ANGELS."

(M723)

"Dear Helen (Helen Midgley - Earth Angel),

We are extremely grateful for your support because we have had a terrible time this year losing everything in the fire at Wangary (Eyre Peninsula SA) as you may know we live at White Flat. Cassie was so pleased that you were with her (in Adelaide) as I could'nt be there for her, we are so busy trying to rebuild and having stock getting on to the roads. Thanks again from the bottom of my heart your organization is brilliant."

Patricia and family (M706)

"I would like to say a big thanks for the help you provide to people in need. Without you it would make things so much harder than they already are.

This was the first of possibly many flights for my son and I would like you to know that I am very grateful for Angel Flight. We have been traveling to Brisbane for 11 years now and the longest time between trips has been 6 months. It has been a very hard road but we have managed to get there and still be sane. (Well sort of).  Due to the deterioration of Warren's heart he now needs to go every 2 weeks but can no longer go by road. That's were you have come to our aid. We are having a Christmas Light Competition in Roma this year. All our families are going to go all out. This year we are doing a display to invite people into our yard to look at what we hope to be a very special scene. I have already requested and received donation boxes and am going to try to give something back to you. I have full support from the local paper and they have offered me advertising for this.

I know I could never give back to you what you have given to so many people but I can do my best to try. Thanks again."

Rosalee Bland (M612)

"My sincere thanks we are most grateful. Angel Flight is a truly wonderful organisation and your dedicated staff and volunteers are providing an incredible service, for our children and families who have such limited services in our isolated rural regions. Without Angel Flight many families would never receive the necessary treatments so vital to their every day lives, and ongoing welfare.

Thanking you again."

Jan Graham (M579)

"I just wanted to write to you and thank you again for organising the trip to Sydney and back for the Glen Innes family. I know that it was a tremendous amount of work to arrange the pilots and their planes, etc. I thought that it was a nice touch sending me photos of the two pilots, which I copied in colour and gave to the family before their trip.  

The feedback that I got from Louise and Warren was very positive, even though they were both fairly nervous about the adventure. They thought that it was lovely that the pilot gave them 5 Angel Flight Bears for their children. The entire service was very much appreciated.

Please pass on my appreciation to the pilots and to the other staff members at Angel Flight. Everyone that I dealt with in regard to the trip was extremely friendly and professional. I hope that I am able to refer clients to your service in the future."

Maggie Dent, Community Worker (M569)

"I just wanted to write to you and thank you again for organising Bieanka’s trip to Sydney and back. I know that it was a tremendous amount of work to arrange the pilots and their planes, etc. I thought that it was a nice touch sending me photos of the two pilots, which I copied in colour and gave to the family before their trip. The feedback that I got from Louise and Warren was very positive, even though they were both fairly nervous about the adventure. They thought that it was lovely that the pilot gave them 5 Angel Flight Bears for their children. The entire service was very much appreciated.Please pass on my appreciation to the pilots and to the other staff members at Angel Flight. Everyone that I dealt with in regard to the trip was extremely friendly and professional. I hope that I am able to refer clients to your service in the future.Thank you again."

M. Dent
Community Worker, Glen Innes

"Angel Flight has made such a difference to our lives and has truely touched our lives forever. Please except my sincere thanks in all you have done for my family and especially for little Locky. Once again I thank all of you, all those angels out there that have helped Locky. God bless you all."

Carissa, Lachlan's Mum

"Thank you for all your work in making Monday go really well. The flight went well and it was great for Annabelle. We also really appreciated Richard driving us to and from Princess Margaret Hospital. It was an incredibly kind experience, to have people offer their services as they did on Monday. And it certainly made a difference for us. I offer our appreciation regarding everyone's efforts."

Thank you Robynn

"Hassan had his operation late yesterday and it was a huge success.  His wife Mary said he came out of recovery laughing and having a joke with staff.  His spirits have been lifted enormously with having his children here. Thank you once again for all your assistance."

Liz Clark, Indigenous Liaison Officer - Cairns Base Hospital

"I've been feeling so lonely but now Angel Flight has changed this and I can't find the words to describe what I feel and wish I could do something more to say thank you."

Bonna Aretas

"On behalf of all of us here and the Nott family, I am sending you all a very big THANK YOU for all the work that went into getting Paul and Meaghan Nott to Sydney for a reunion with Tracey and Tiffany. They were just so happy and grateful. The eldest daughter, Alicia, who is severely disabled also had a lovely weekend being cared for by friends working in shifts."

Val Lodge, Manager, Challenge Disability Service, Gunnedah

"On behalf of the Glen Innes Volunteer Home Visiting Service I would like to extend to all at Angel Flight Australia and to the Earth Angels our thanks to those who so generously assisted our Inverell clients on their recent trip to Newcastle so that their infant son could undertake his 3 monthly specialists visits for his chronic lung disorder.

The family are so very grateful for the wonderful assistance and support they received from everyone."

Catherine Donald, Consultant / Volunteer Home Visiting Services

"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

"I just don't know what to say to express our gratitude and appreciation for what you did for our son Luke this week. I was on the verge of desperation when I was told by the airlines that they would not take our son because he was ill."

Jane Blacket

"I have always taken the cheapest form of transport - not the easiest.  So bus, train & ferry was always it.  This was our first trip in any type of plane & it was magical."

Carole

“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.”

Kim Jobson

"I can't believe that someone would do this at this time of year, the pilot must have a very special heart to give up his time on Christmas Eve to help me." 

Robert McKenzie

“The journey usually takes us about six hours by car which can be very tiring and difficult for Sarah and on top of that we are now having car problems making it impossible for us to drive there. It has made such a difference to us I can’t thank them enough.”

John Everingham

“Travelling by air is so much better for Channae and I really don't know what I would have done without the help of Angel Flight.  The pilots are really special to dedicate their time to help people like us.  We are ever so grateful and I know that others who have used this service also think they are wonderful.”

Louise, mother of Channae

Read the letter Angel Flight received from the McKnight family.

"In September just past (2005) - Fathers Day was our first year without our beloved Michael Trevor. Michael had an Angel Flight in June 2004 with pilot Michael Loccisano from Wangaratta to Melbourne.

Michael unfortunately passed 8 weeks after his flight, at Albury Hospital,NSW and was laid to rest at Stanley Victoria.

What the family would like to express is the thanks and gratitude to Angel Flight's foundation. The amazing part of the process the ongoing support after the initial flight. Michael Loccisano was wonderful with visits to Michael at the hospital (in Melbourne) and the lovely flowers that were sent for his funeral.

Although no-one could of foreseen the future, it was the positive encouragement from all of the people involved with organising his flight, that made Michael stronger within himself. Michael was a hard worker, never unemployed, with the disease came the loss of wages and the expenses of treatments. Michael was very concerned that living remote and no money would prevent him from urgent treatment. A proud man who never took charity from anyone, was touched by your organisation. Michael was full of praise to your empathic charity, and had he'd lived longer, would of helped in some way.

So in closing we send our thanks, and even though I live in Central Outback Queensland, if there is anything I can do out here, just let me know, (and I'll happily help where possible) as a respectful tribute to Michael."

Linda Hosking (M136)