Charity walk brings joy to sick children

Robert Vallier, pilot and founder of the Battle-based Ufosa Foundation, made the walk from Battle to Snowdon to raise funds for the charity and to launch Ufosa's new UK programme, Touch The Sky.

At various points along the route, Robert, in conjunction with six flying clubs, offered the chance for seriously ill, handicapped or terminally ill children to enjoy free flights in a light aircraft.

Eleven children, from 10 families, enjoyed a trip in the aircraft, including two teenage cancer sufferers, an eight-year-old boy with a terminal muscle-wasting disease and two young brothers, aged six and 10, who both have a serious liver condition.

Robert said: "The most lovely thing for me was the kids.

"The kids loved it, the parents loved it and the flying clubs loved it."

One eight-year-old girl, who took part in a flight, had cerebral palsy, was blind in one eye and had no hair.

Robert said: "She had a lovely smile all the time.

"She was chatting away and could just about see over the top of the cockpit when we went up.

"She never complained, there was just this big, beaming, smiling face.

"It was lovely."

More flying clubs have expressed an interest in taking part and Robert hopes to extend the programme and take 100 families of sick children up to the skies in the next 12 months.

The next flights are earmarked for January or February 2011.

Robert had been in training for his epic 300 mile fundraising walk, but admits he found it a struggle.

He said: "It's not doing 12 miles, it's not doing 20 miles - it's doing miles every day.

"Three hours is ok, then doing four or five hours everyday was painful and it carried on hurting all the time.

"You have to carry on and walk through that.

"Come the end of the walk, the knees and ankles really hurt."

And it was not only the pain which made the walk a challenge - Robert got lost twice and almost got run over by a lorry.

The deputy editor of Pilot Magazine, a keen mountaineer, joined Robert, 57, for the final leg of the walk at Snowdon.

Ufosa staff joined Robert at the end to celebrate him crossing the finish line.

The walk has raised 5,500 with more money coming in.

After resting his feet for a while, Robert will be jetting off to South Africa in November to open Ufosa's first charity shop in Cape Town.

The money taken at the shop will go towards running the charity's Cape Town office.

Robert will also visit three or four impoverished schools to hand over 2,500 books, kindly donated by a publisher.

Meanwhile, back in the UK, the charity will open it's latest shop in Eastbourne shortly.

Anyone who would like more information about the Ufosa Foundation can call 01424 223700.