Kishugu Aviation recently contributed towards a memorable Lowveld experience for a group of young cancer patients from Gauteng.

From 04 to 09 April, 41 Children, between the ages of 7 and 18 – all currently fighting cancer – attended Camp Quality, hosted by the White River Rotary Club. These children were identified by hospitals such as Steve Biko and Chris Baragwanath in Gauteng to attend this week-long Lowveld spoil.

“Initially there would have been 50 children, but a number of them became too sick to come along,” said Louise Botes from Emnotweni, who accompanied the group. “This camp takes the children out of their normal serious and scary medical environment and allows them the opportunity to have fun and experience something new, while their parents are given a short break.”

The group was accompanied by enthusiastic and passionate local volunteers and a 24-hour paramedic.
Local businesses opened their hearts and generously donated excursions, meals and gifts. As part of their programme, the group visited Elephant Whisperers and Perry’s Bridge Reptile Park in Hazyview. They went horse riding at Uplands Equestrian Centre, had fun at Mafunyane Riverside Water Park and watched a cultural show at Casterbridge.

A highlight for many of these children, of whom a number have never seen the inside of a cockpit before, was an aerial flip – a bird’s eye view of the beautiful Lowveld.

Lowveld Aero Club members donated their time and aircraft, while Kishugu Aviation contributed fuel and goodie bags. Depending on the size of the aircraft, the children were either paired up or individually escorted to the aircraft by safety personnel and given a bird’s eye view of the beautiful Lowveld while the rest of the group played around with donated sports’ balls and frisbees.

“It was a perfect day for flying and the flips were an absolute thrill and a once in a lifetime experience for many of these children,” said one of the volunteers from the White River Rotary Club.
“This was the most exciting thing I have ever done,” exclaimed one 13-year old boy after exiting the aircraft “I hope I get to do it again someday.”

Emile Grobbelaar, Group CFO said that it was a privilege for Kishugu Aviation to help make a difference in the lives of these children by contributing towards this honourable initiative.