The Puma Flying Lions Aerobatic Team once again took flight, at Rand Airport, last Sunday.
All this was done to celebrate their 17th annual Charity Day, where the team treats children from vulnerable backgrounds to flights in various aircraft, lunch at the Harvard Café, awesome goodie bags and a whole lot more to lift their spirits during the festive season.
This year, 70 children from The Little Rose Centre, situated in Soweto, descended on Germiston and ascended into the skies under the guidance of fully trained aerobatic pilots.
Puma Energy was the major sponsor of the day, and their collaboration with Nashua, Academy Brushware, Rand Airport and Harvard Café, made for an even more pleasant day for the children.
The children learnt a bit about aviation through aviation books which were sponsored by Creative Space Media.
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On the day, many first-timers strutted with fear towards the planes but emerged from them beaming with excitement.
Kholeka Ndlovu was among the first timers.
Though she was nervous because of her fear of heights, she soon built up the courage and was determined to conquer her fear, grabbing the opportunity to fly as it was presented to her.
“It was awesome,” she exclaimed when she made it back to the café from the runway.
The day ended on a cheery note when Father Christmas made an appearance at the Christmas party, carrying gifts for the children, filled with gadgets, books and sweets.
“We offer live-in services to orphans, and after school programmes open to the community,” said Noluthando Magudulela, a volunteer at The Little Rose Centre.
“Field trips like these where children leave Soweto to experience once-in-a-lifetime excursions are good because they get to experience other facets of life and create memories.
“Most of us here today did not know much about aviation, but we’ll leave here with more knowledge of flying and aeroplanes.”
Planes used on the day were the Harvard, Baron 58 and Cessna 185 Skywagon.
Rand Airport waived all landing fees for the day.
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist) kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za
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