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 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.

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.

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!!

Thanks to the Bubblegum Club, Richard Molloy and Ciara O’Callaghan, young Michael O’Connor was treated to a first class visit to the set of Fair City at RTE on Thursday 13th May 2010.

Michael, who suffers from a serious rare eye condition which has left him blind, is a number one fan of the RTE TV soap, Fair City.  He enthusiastically follows the characters and plots as they unfold on the nightly series.  It has been a long time dream of his to visit the set and meet with his favourite actors. His dream finally came true when he was picked up by Ferrari on Thursday morning and chauffeured by Richard Molloy at high speed on the M50 to RTE, Donnybrook.

There to greet Michael was actress Ciara O’Callaghan, aka Yvonne.  Ciara took the role of sighted guide, bringing Michael to visit the set where the actors and crew were filming an episode three weeks ahead of the schedule.

Ciara helped Michael to explore the set of the now familiar street including the famous McCoy’s pub, Vino’s Wine Bar, Phelan’s newsagents, the charity shop and community centre.  Leo, Detective Deegan, Carol and Dean all took time out from filming to say hello to Michael and pose for photographs.

Once the outdoor sets were visited it was time to check out the indoor sets so again Ciara guided Michael into the popular eateries and watering holes of Carrickstown.  Michael ordered a pint in McCoy’s, visited Sarah and Keith on set in their sitting room and waited to be served in the Hungry Pig!

After spending the morning hanging out with the actors in RTE it was time for lunch so once more Michael was whisked off by Richard in his Ferrari and brought to the Radisson Hotel where he sipped Coke Cola and chewed on tasty chicken nuggets!

Michael and his mum, Lorraine, were given a walk on part so look out for the two aspiring actors as they stroll there way past the Community Centre . . .in an episode of Fair City coming to a TV screen near you!!