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To mark their 15th anniversary and to thank volunteers, Helping Wings Patron, His Excellency Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd CBE invited the charity to a reception at Government House.
The event took place on Tuesday, 21st November with guests including sponsors, pilots and ground crew together with some of its bursary students.
The charity’s chairperson, Eveline Hawkin paid tribute to all those who enthusiastically offered help and without whom the charity would not be able function. His Excellency told the gathering how impressed he was with the benevolent culture of Jersey people.
Helping Wings was founded 15 years ago by a group of pilots who wanted to share their love of flying with local people for whom such activity would normally be out of reach.
Initially Helping Wings gave flying experiences to local children with a range of difficulties. Over the years, it has expanded and now provides flying training opportunities to adults, helping them achieve goals which otherwise, due to their individual circumstances or through physical disability, would be unobtainable. Nothing is expected of the student pilots only that they achieve their personal goals.
In more recent years Helping Wings has strived to become more and more inclusive working with other charities including Wetwheels and Holiday for Heroes.
For children and young adults, it continues to provide events every year including a flight around the island as part of a full day of activities. To finish a busy 2023 for Helping Wings, thanks to the generosity of Blue Islands, a Santa flight has been arranged for its younger guests for the first time.
