8th June 2002 - Make A Wish Special Visitor Click on the pictures to view larger versions Shoreham Airport hosted a very special visitor on Saturday 8th June. Christopher Byford arrived in a cream coloured Bentley to be greeted by Geoff Blackburn, Editor of the Shoreham Airport News. Christopher, aged 11, is living with cancer and his parents had contacted the Make a Wish Foundation UK to see if they could arrange for Christopher to sit in an aeroplane. "Christopher loves aeroplanes and it would make his day if he could just sit next to the pilot", said his father. Irene Gray of Make a Wish duly obliged and contacted Geoff. With the complete co-operation of both Shoreham Airport management and staff a visit to the airport was arranged, although this was to be more than 'just to sit in an aeroplane'. The visit commenced with a visit to Air Traffic Control where controller Antony Baduns explained the mysteries of the tower to Christopher, then on to see the Lee-Richards circular aeroplane which is part of the Airport Visitor Centre exhibition. Christopher's next visit was to one of the flying organisations based at the airport, The Flying Hut, where he was shown the aircraft in the Jade Air hangar.These included a Robinson R 44 helicopter, painted black with the registration G-CROW, "That's well cool, does it have guns" said Christopher. Little did he know that he would be sitting in it very soon! Flying Hut instructor Steve Terry then took Christopher to a Piper Warrior aeroplane and when safely strapped into the pilots' seat off they went round the airfield, twice! Then with two tone horns blaring Airport Fireman Paul Smith took him to the Sussex Police helicopter unit in one of the airport fire engines. Whilst Christopher was being shown the police helicopter, Ian MacGregor of FAST helicopters was getting the Robinson out of the hangar. It needs refuelling, he told me, so I'll take Christopher with me. We didn't say anything to Chris whilst he was being strapped in and the headsets put into place. When Ian got in and started the engine Chris still had no idea that he was going for a little trip. Ian took off and flew to the refuelling point, the long way round. Ian gave Chris some goodies from FAST helicopters and with that it was time for lunch arranged by Irene Gray, but before that Airport Receptionist Sue Stacey gave him a few goodies from the airport. The smiles on Christopher's face when he was doing all these things made the whole experience worth while for everyone who took part, thanks to them, the airport staff and Make a Wish, one of Christopher's dreams had come true. In addition to the airport visit Christopher was also given a Quad bike by Make a Wish, another of his dearest wishes. Article by Geoff Blackburn.   All Photos © by Keith Mason Back