My parents have both been involved in charity work for many years now. My Father is a founding member and Past President of a local Rotary club which was formed in the mid 90’s and my Mother has been a part of Pathfinders for 40 years and is a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. They give a serious amount of time to these causes and in doing so have made many big changes to a lot of people’s lives. 

I spent my Saturday morning helping them both out at an event organised by Pathfinders in conjunction with Rotary. It is a joy flight for disabled and disadvantaged kids. My Mum has been part of this flight for the last 36 or 37 years.

Qantas donate the use of a 747 jumbo, Shell donate the fuel, all the crew including the pilot donate their time and a whole bunch of people help out on the ground to allow kids and their carers to take a flight over Sydney Harbour then up and down the coast line for about an hour and a half.

Ang and I were given two groups to look after. I suspect Ang was actually given two groups and I was tasked with assisting her. One group were from Western NSW and came from a broken home. The other group were all kids who had required heart operations. Some transplants, other open heart surgery. Incredibly gutsy group of kids. And their parents were just as inspirational.

Other groups who were their ranged from heavily disabled, wheelchair bound kids to those suffering from Downs. In total there were about 330 people. There was a guy there who looked pretty tough. But to see the name of his daughter tattooed up his arm was testament to the dedication he had to his disabled daughter stuck in a wheelchair for life. The stories of the carers who dedicate their lives to helping their kids are possibly more moving that the kids stories themselves.

When loaded them on the plane, the smiles on their faces were amazing. Most had not been on a plane before and most will never again. The excitement was at fever pitch and I can now see why they aren’t meant to eat before they fly as most of it would be in sick bags.

It was just a few hours out of my weekend. But the reward I got from that time is far greater than the funds I raise for Movember or the money I give to other causes. Imagine my embarrassment to realise that this was the first time I have gone to see what my Mum has done for so many years.

It was a truly humbling experience and I will be sure to be there again next year, and many more after that.