Just days before Christmas, the Angel Flight team received a call from a social worker at Royal Rehab Sydney about a young patient who wanted just one thing for Christmas — to be home with his family.
Nineteen-year-old Dan had spent most of the year in spinal rehabilitation in Sydney following a serious accident. From his small hometown of Nyngan, more than a seven-hour drive away, the tyranny of distance, combined with his inability to sit for long periods, meant travelling home by road simply wasn’t possible. This was especially difficult knowing Dan needed to return to the spinal rehabilitation unit just days later.
True to our motto, Help Where Help Is Needed, Angel Flight didn’t hesitate to step in. Because healing isn’t only physical, it’s emotional too and time with family can be just as important as any treatment.
On Christmas Eve, Sydney-based volunteer pilot Sunil Thomas took to the skies in his Cirrus, flying Dan home to be reunited with his family. They were waiting with open arms, big smiles, and an even bigger banner.
“Having Dan home for Christmas was the greatest gift,” said Dan’s mum, Alison. “It was so special to be all together as a family in our own home after months of living in Sydney for hospital and rehab. It was a very happy time and gave Dan the strength and resolve to return for more rehabilitation. I will forever be grateful to Angel Flight for giving us the best Christmas ever.”
For pilot Sunil, who has flown 44 missions for Angel Flight, the experience was deeply moving. “There is something incredibly powerful about witnessing a reunion like Dan’s,” he said. “After everything he has been through this year, seeing his family waiting with that banner in Nyngan was a beautiful moment. It was a privilege to play a small part in bringing them back together for such a special time.”
A few days later, pilot Brian Du Rieu flew Dan back to Sydney in his Beechcraft Bonanza so he could continue his rehabilitation. During the 1-hour, 48-minute flight, Brian observed that Dan’s greatest strength was his positive mindset. “Dan’s father mentioned that initially the doctors didn’t think he would walk again,” Brian said. “Yet on the day of our flight, Dan walked with the aid of a Zimmer frame to and from the aircraft.”
On both legs of the journey, our ever-reliable volunteer driver James Crehan, affectionately known as “Jimmy”, was there to transport Dan between hospital and airport. Fresh from completing his 120th drive, Jimmy brought his trademark warmth and kindness every step of the way.
Because sometimes, the greatest gift we can give is helping families be together when it matters most.
To help people like Dan fly when they need it most, you can donate to Angel Flight here or support us by purchasing a ticket in the Play For Purpose raffle with some fantastic prizes to be won: https://www.playforpurpose.com.au/angel-flight
Angel Flight pilot, Sunil Thomas with Dan on his flight home for Christmas.