Helping Hands - our 2008 Rally project - to provide a day's flying and entertainment for less fortunate local children.

The look on the children’s faces said everything.

The concept came from an earlier initiative by the Jersey Aero Club when its members decided to share their passion for flying with young people from the Island. This culminated with Emma Dalton being selected for training for the Private Pilot’s Licence. Launched at this years Jersey International Air Rally, Helping Hands was aimed at providing a day of entertainment, including a flight around in Jersey in a light aircraft for special needs children from Jersey. The necessary funds were raised from the sale of prize winning tickets, an auction  held by Tommy A’Court of Maillards and from local sponsors. Most importantly, locally based pilots offered their services and aircraft free of charge for the chosen day, Saturday, 19th July. Eighteen children were selected for this treat – a mixture of autistic and looked after children. All would be accompanied by their parents or carers and families.

Despite a murky start to the day, by the time the children arrived for lunch at the aero club, the skies had cleared to give near perfect flying conditions. Interspersed with the flying programme, the children were entertained by magician Chicano and were allowed to scramble over one of Jersey Airport’s fire vehicles.
Each child was accompanied by a parent or carer for their flight around the Island, lasting about thirty minutes. None had experienced flying in a light aircraft before, and some had never flown at all. They all thoroughly enjoyed the flying and seeing their homes from the air. On returning to the aero club, the children were photographed by the aircraft.

Back in the clubhouse the afternoon’ activities continued with drawing competitions and afternoon tea. All the children went home wearing specially commissioned t-shirts with the Helping Hands logo designed by Giles Robson, and goody bags with more souvenirs of their day, including their own photograph by Kandidprints.

Was there any doubt about the success of the event? Absolutely not! From the smiles on the faces, the eighteen children obviously had a great afternoon. As was heard more than once – this is potentially a life changing experience – a very humbling thought for the club members involved. As one parent said, the prospect of taking their child on a flight has always been too daunting, but now ......

Of course none of this could have happened without a lot of people doing their bit. The Jersey Aero Club and organiser Eveline Hawkin are  indebted to all the sponsors but in particular to the Derek and Julia Breed Foundation, to Jersey Airport’s fire service, to Julie and Ian Le Sueur of Kandidprints , to the pilots who flew the children, to Autism Jersey and the Foster Care Association, and primarily to the children themselves for making Helping Hands such a rewarding experience for everyone.

Such was the success of the event and everyone’s generosity that the Jersey Aero Club is giving serious consideration to another similar event in the autumn.