Auckland Northland

A sky-high adventure for kids living with cancer

16 January 2025

News

The unforgettable experience of flying in a Hercules C-130H was a Monday treat for children living with cancer, organised by the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Before they left their home for the week, the Camp Quality summer camp at Wesley College near Pukekohe, they had no idea where they were going. After an hour’s drive up the motorway, 53 kids and their volunteer companions roared into the air movements area at the Whenuapai base, eager to see what their day’s activity would be.

The kids from as far south as the Bombay Hills to as far north as the North Cape took to the clear blue skies in four 30-minute scenic flights, flying over the Waitakere Ranges and Waitemata Harbour to the city.

With few windows on board, and none at child’s height, the only way to see outside was to have the ramp down. It allowed the children to get a unique view, with each plane flying one behind the other, before swapping.

Ten-year-old Cali Mafi said it was “amazing” to see the ocean, mountains, the Sky Tower and “heaps of boats” while 11-year-old Devyn Tregurtha (left) said it was “super cool” and “super loud”.

“Especially looking over the net and looking at the ocean. I think I am really lucky to do it as not many people get to do something like that at all. It was super fun,” Tregurtha said.

Both girls are in remission.

For 10-year-old Jesse Barnard, whose sibling has had cancer, it was his first time on a plane.

“It was pretty cool being in the air but after a little while, I wasn’t feeling too good.”

He put that down to being in the plane too long.

Air Commodore Andy Scott told Stuff Travel it was an amazing day.

“For us to be able to help a charity like Camp Quality give an experience to these children it’s just a huge honour. For everyone that’s involved today, all across the base it’s a wonderful way to start the year.“

The children are likely some of the last to fly in the C130 Hercules, as the planes will be decommissioned on January 31, after 60 years of service, before taking a farewell tour of the country in February.

“But don’t worry,” Scott said, “even though it’s a 60-year-old aircraft they are of course maintained to 2025 standards. These aircraft have been the workhorses of the RNZAF for a very long time.”

Hopefully, the Camp Quality children also made memories that will last a lifetime.

 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/360546963/sky-high-adventure-kids-living-cancer

Stuff article Emma Stanford

Photos Chris McKeen