Fly day shows children world from different angle

The first National Fly Kids Day took place last Saturday and pilots at Shoreham Airport did their bit to give children the flight of a lifetime.

Aviation Without Borders wanted to give special children the chance to fly in a small plane and see the world they live in from a different angle.

The aviation charity found places for more than 80 children at 10 flying clubs across the UK, from Shoreham in the south up to Perth in Scotland.

Lisa Bone, head of fundraising, said: “On the day, we flew over 80 children who have special physical or learning needs, or bravely face illness or adversity.

“Good weather marked the first official day of summer, so the children and the family members and carers accompanying them were able to get a great bird’s eye view and experience something many others can only dream of.”

Some of the responses given at Shoreham Airport by the youngsters included ‘it was really good’, ‘I want to do it again’ and ‘it was really fun’.

The children involved said they were given the chance to take over the controls as part of the project.

The charity thanked Sky Leisure flying school and Action for Children for working closely with the team to make the day possible.

Aviation Without Borders says it is a unique charity, dedicated to providing humanitarian assistance through aviation services, irrespective of politics, religion, race or nationality.