Aviation Without Borders* (AWB), a charity which offers aviation experiences to vulnerable youngsters has treated five children from Glasgow and Fife to its ‘Smiling Wings’ experience day (Saturday, 30th August).
The children, aged 11-15, from Aberlour’s Fife Short Breaks* and Glasgow Outreach* services took in the delights at Cumbernauld Aerodrome, which included of an introduction to aviation, a flight and a tour of the hangars.
Stanley Stewart, Trustee of Aviation Without Borders, explained:
“I helped set up AWB after retiring after serving 30 years as a British Airways pilot. Our aim is to provide kids who wouldn’t normally use an aeroplane, if at all, with the fun experience of finding out more about planes and taking a flight; a once in a life time opportunity.
“We’re delighted that children from Aberlour’s Fife Short Breaks and Glasgow Outreach really enjoyed our ‘Smiling Wings’ aviation day. There was lots of laughter and I’m sure they’ll remember it for a long time to come.”
Jacqui Kirk, Service Manager of Fife Short Breaks, said:
“We’d like to thank Aviation Without Borders for giving the kids such a wonderful experience. The children thoroughly enjoyed it and I think some of them may even want to become pilots now!”
Aberlour is the largest solely Scottish children’s charity. It works with children, young people and families in Scotland who need support, including those affected by disabilities and those whose lives are affected by parental drug and alcohol dependency.
A workforce of over 800 in over 46 projects throughout Scotland provides the specialist care to those children most in need.
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Notes to editors:
* About Aviation Without Borders (AWB)
Aviation Without Borders (AWB) started over two years ago and is registered throughout the UK. AWB is part of a European family whose founding member is the French aviation charity, Aviation Sans Frontières (ASF). They began charitable work over 25 years ago. AWB acts like an agent in bringing the children (through charities) and the flying organisations together and also sets up and funds the event. ABW’s main supporter is EADS (the European Aeronautic, Defense and Space Company, builders of the giant Airbus A380 airliner).
www.aviationwithoutborders.org.
*About Fife Short Breaks
The Fife Short Breaks scheme offers part-time residential respite care, weekend, and holiday breaks for children and young people with varying degrees of learning disabilities who live in Fife. The project also has an outreach service offering a range of flexible breaks for children and their families. The short breaks service also offers additional support to individuals as requested by the Social Work Department.
Supported by Fife Council
*About Glasgow Outreach
The project works with women and children aged up to 12 preparing for admission to Aberlour’s residential rehabilitation projects in Glasgow and provides support when leaving. There is a dedicated children’s worker and employability, literacy and creative therapy services are also provided.
Supported by Glasgow Addiction Services/NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
About Aberlour
Aberlour is Scotland’s largest children’s Scotland only charity which works with and for 6,000 children, young people and families throughout Scotland who need additional support to promote their development and wellbeing. It runs 46 services across the country. These include: intensive supports to severely disabled children and young people; residential and outreach support to families affected by parental drug and alcohol use; community and family centre based services to promote and enhance positive parenting, play and early learning; residential care and community programs for children and young people with social, educational, emotional and behavioural difficulties and a refuge and out reach service for children who have runaway from home – to name a few.