What a day we had ! It all began in Weston Airport at 10am, with up to 20 busloads of children arriving throughout the morning. There was huge excitement as everyone lined up to take their seat in one of the 22 helicopters that were parked and ready to fly all the children, carers and parents to Avon Ri Resort in Blessington, Co. Wicklow. The flying conditions were excellent with spectacular views over the Blessington Lakes.
The Bubblegum Club aviation team from the Irish Helicopter Owners and Pilots Association were on hand to ensure the safe and smooth running of all flights, along with the Army and the Air Corps.
The Bubblegum Club aviation team from the Irish Helicopter Owners and Pilots Association were on hand to ensure the safe and smooth running of all flights, along with the Army and the Air Corps.
The fantastic facilities in Avon Ri allowed us to host a really special and fun-filled day for all including water sports by the lake, numerous bouncy castles and inflatable games, puppet making and face painting by Helium, a beautiful falconry display, ‘Dave the jungle’ zoo with lizards, tarantulas, and snakes! With many of the children taking the opportunity to get up close and pet these exotic animals.
If that was too adventurous for some, there was also clown school, dancing & football. Or you could relax with a burger from the barbeque.
If that was too adventurous for some, there was also clown school, dancing & football. Or you could relax with a burger from the barbeque.
This is one of our major events on the calendar each year and is looked forward to by so many. Children from 15 hospitals and homes around the country such as Temple Street Childrens’ Hospital and the Sunshine Home make the trip each year and it always proves to be a huge success. It’s such an important event for the Bubblegum Club and embodies our ethos of living life to its fullest.
The day would not happen without the support from so many volunteers both on the day and the run up to the event, along with the entertainers, the Army, Garda, the Bubblegum Club aviation team from IHOP, the fire service, Dublin Bus and so many more.
The day would not happen without the support from so many volunteers both on the day and the run up to the event, along with the entertainers, the Army, Garda, the Bubblegum Club aviation team from IHOP, the fire service, Dublin Bus and so many more.
A special thanks also to the celebrities that gave their time and kindness on the day such as Karen Koster from TV3’s Xpose, who is a very welcome patron of the charity, along with actors Dave Duffy and George McMahon from Fair City plus Leanne Moore, winner of 2008 You’re A Star.
Peter Harris, founder and CEO of the charity:
“This is an extraordinary event that we look forward to each year. It’s a spectacular day for all the children and their families involved, giving them a much needed break from their illness or crisis, reminding them of what it is to be a child”. We would like to thank the staff of Avon Ri Resort, the Helicopter and Pilots association, the Air Corp and the Army for supporting the event, and all the other volunteers and suppliers that made the day so memorable for the Children”.
Roll on next year!!
Peter Harris, founder and CEO of the charity:
“This is an extraordinary event that we look forward to each year. It’s a spectacular day for all the children and their families involved, giving them a much needed break from their illness or crisis, reminding them of what it is to be a child”. We would like to thank the staff of Avon Ri Resort, the Helicopter and Pilots association, the Air Corp and the Army for supporting the event, and all the other volunteers and suppliers that made the day so memorable for the Children”.
Roll on next year!!
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