No. 42 SQN supports children’s hospital
Two Royal New Zealand Air Force crews from No. 42 Squadron recently brightened the day for 10 sick children from Wellington Children’s Hospital. They flew Kingairs from Base Ohakea to Wellington to transport the group to Masterton for a special treat on 1 May 2010.
Shawnee Ryder
Flight Lieutenant Michael Williams liaised with event organisers, Lee Bennett and Maria Quigley, who both accompanied the children on the trip. Lee and his fiancé Marie-Claire co-own and run the Snap Roll Café on Masterton Airfield and kindly put on lunch for all the kids, parents, minders and the No. 42 SQN crews. In Masterton the group was shown around the Old Stick and Rudder Company hanger that houses a fantastic collection of vintage aircraft. One of the highlights of the visit was when the children got to sit in the cockpit of Sir Peter Jackson’s Helldiver aircraft, used in his movie, King Kong. The group was then flown back to Wellington on the Kingairs. The two Captains, FLTLT Michael Williams and FLTLT Aaron Scanlan commented that the smiles left on the kids’ faces—one especially, on a little girl who had never been on an aeroplane before—made it all worthwhile. A great day was had by all, with the RNZAF contributing to a memorable event for all involved.