Aviation charity Little Wings will boost operations thanks to funding of $240,000 from ClubsNSW.
Little Wings is a not-for-profit organisation that provides flights to and from hospital for sick children.
As a foundation partner of the charity, ClubsNSW will provide $240,000 to Little Wings over the next four years, including a one-off payment of $120,000 to help the charity purchase a much needed plane.
ClubsNSW CEO Anthony Ball said the club industry was proud to help Little Wings provide desperately required support for regional families with sick children.
“Around 40 per cent of children diagnosed with cancer live in regional, very secluded parts of the state where they face separation from loved ones in order to access critical medical facilities required for treatment,” he said.
“For treatment, the child and one parent often has to move away from their family and friends, making an already tough situation even harder. Little Wings brings those families together again, which is a priceless gift.
Little Wings founder Kevin Robinson started the organisation as a weekend project, but demand has developed it into a seven-days-a-week operation that has 15 volunteers and two aeroplanes.
“We do what we can to relieve travel fatigue and financial strain, because it’s the emotional toll when these families get separated, that’s most heartbreaking,” he said.
“I’d like to thank the club industry for its support. This commitment for the next four years will go along away in our goal to help as many families with sick children as possible.”