Playing with the big toys

A day filled with big toys for the boys (and a few of us girls) at an Airbus sponsored Air Smiles Day for fly2help at Chester Harwarden Airport.

I joined five other volunteers and three volunteer pilots with their King Air, Piper Navajo and Columbia aircraft to fly 40 beneficiaries from North Wales each facing difficulties ranging from disability to under privileged backgrounds.

Helping us to host the children were Flint Coastguard, Mitsubishi and Lancer drivers' club, Airbus placement students from the Wing Academy and Blue Watch from Harwarden Airport's Fire Station.

We were treated to special flypasts from the National Police Air Service helicopter and the ginormous Beluga aircraft that brought much joy and excitement to kids of all ages - my friend Jack included!

Douglas Bear was in attendance for photos and hugs and we ended the day with cake - I gave extra to the lovely firemen!

Sunshine, smiles, flying, fun and many happy memories for everyone. Looking forward to next year's Airbus Air Smiles Day already.