Volunteer pilot Don Palmer completed his 90th flight to Dubbo Airport on Friday as part of the Angel Flight program transporting patients with illnesses across the country.
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Mr Palmer said his involvement with the charity goes back several years after a friend introduced him to the concept.
"I got involved about six or seven years ago," he said.
"One of my friends was doing it and he told me about it.
"I thought I could do it.
"I try and do one every couple of weeks when I can."
It makes you realise how lucky you are
- Volunteer pilot Don Palmer
Mr Palmer admitted he has seen some horrifically sick and injured people but all of the patients he transports are appreciative of his volunteer effort.
"They're always so appreciative,"
"I had a little girl one day and she was 90 per cent burnt.
"The poor little thing, so it was nice to help her.
"All the kinds of people I've taken is a reality check.
"It makes you realise how lucky you are."
Mr Palmer was in Dubbo on Friday to transport local man Andrew Duffy to Sydney for treatment for his tongue cancer and it, along with his previous passengers, have giving him a new look on life.
"Andrew has tongue cancer and that's pretty bloody dramatic," he said.
"We can only do what we can do and enjoy life while we can."
Mr Duffy was having to travel to and from Sydney to see doctors and other specialists but due to fatigue the long journey was made even more difficult until he came across the charity.
"I came across Angel Wings through my social worker at St Vincent's," he said.
"She got in touch with them early this year and I've been back and forth from Sydney now that COVID has picked up.
Mr Duffy also said it was excellent to have access to transportation like Angel Flight which make it easy for him to journey to appointments.
Angel Flight Australia are a charity which provide non-emergency flights to help hundreds of country people who are dealing with poor health, poor finances and daunting distances.
Pilots differ to the Royal Flying Doctor Service or Air Ambulance by not carrying medical equipment onboard while providing their own plane for the flights.
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Tom Barber
I cover a mixture of news and sport for the Liberal after graduating from university in 2020. If you've got a story feel free to flick me a message tom.barber@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I cover a mixture of news and sport for the Liberal after graduating from university in 2020. If you've got a story feel free to flick me a message tom.barber@austcommunitymedia.com.au
