A respite day for children and adults living with profound disabilities and life-limiting conditions saw 20 children and 14 adults from Bristol, UK, and the surrounding regions spend a day at Bristol Airport on Saturday, September 21.
Air Smiles Day was run by Airbus, UK aviation charity fly2help and Bristol Airport. Airbus invited nine families from its charity partners to take part – families from St Peter’s Hospice, brain injury charity Headway Bristol and blood courier service Severn Freewheelers were in attendance.
The aviation-themed day involved a flight in a light aircraft, with attendees also taking part in demonstrations from the emergency response services, and spending time with Airbus graduates to learn about the mechanics of flight. They also had the opportunity to try out augmented-reality facilities used in aircraft design.
Georgina Godfree, program delivery co-ordinator for fly2help, said, “The Air Smiles Day enables families to create shared, everlasting memories via the wonder of flight, for some time away from their daily struggles.”
Members of the group included bereaved children, people living with brain injuries and children with sight loss.