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A RAAF Hercules has delivered early Christmas presents to disabled children in the Philippines.
Working in partnership with Wheelchairs for Kids Australia (WFK), the Air Force in November flew 48 all-terrain children’s wheelchairs from RAAF Base Richmond to Clark Air Base in the Philippines, where they were distributed by Angeles City RSL.
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WFK has worked with Angeles City RSL in the Philippines since 2014 as part of its wider mission, which has seen 65,900 all-terrain and fully adjustable children’s wheelchairs delivered to more than 80 countries since 1996.
“We have assembled and gifted 768 chairs of all sorts to date. Recipients are identified at our medical missions, which we conduct in a wide range of barangays (villages within suburbs) on the first Saturday of eight months of the year,” Gary Barnes, president of Angeles City RSL, said.
“The significance of the RAAF’s support in transporting these wheelchairs to the Philippines cannot be understated.
“Without it, we would not be able to continue providing wheelchairs to children with disabilities, and still support the welfare of our members and, importantly, our veterans.”
The RAAF has flown 95 donated wheelchairs to the Philippines this year, for a total of 225 since October 2022, using “opportunity cargo” – where RAAF aircraft already going to a given location can use unallocated space to transport cargo at no extra cost.
“While not always a guarantee, opportunity cargo has saved the Angeles City RSL more than $60,000 in commercial shipping costs as well as the time and resources required to fundraise such a large sum,” Defence said.
Flight Lieutenant Run Soorian, Officer In Charge of the RAAF component, said the RAAF had worked together with the Philippines Air Force (PAF) to make a difference to children in need.
“This has been one of the highlights of my deployment. It was a significant logistical effort carried out by the RAAF and the PAF,” Flight Lieutenant Soorian said.
“The transport and storage of children’s wheelchairs were handled entirely by volunteers and members who stepped up of their own accord for the greater good.
“Being part of this effort has given me a profound sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.”
