Operation Care Bear soars as helicopter rides bring joy to Townsville’s young patients

Operation Care Bear landed successfully and achieved its mission by putting a smile on the faces of young patients from the children’s ward at the Townsville University Hospital.

5th Aviation with Penelope Paterson, 6, sits at the controls of a Augusta Westland AW139 helicopter from 5th Aviation. Picture: Evan Morgan

Operation Care Bear landed successfully and achieved its mission by putting a smile on the faces of young patients from the children’s ward at the Townsville University Hospital last Friday.

The operation involved Aviators from Townsville-based Fifth Aviation Regiment who landed a Augusta Westland AW139 helicopter at a playing field at James Cook University before taking off with squeals of delight to give the children an flight in the skies above the city.

Pilot Captain Gregory Smalley said Operation Care bear had been running since 2019 and there had never been a shortage of volunteers from the regiment and the smile of the children’s faces always made it worthwhile.

Pilot Captain Gregory Smalley from 5th Aviation with Penelope Paterson, 6. Picture: Evan Morgan

“It’s great to see the kids smiling and go through the safety brief, and the kids had big grins on their face trying to work out the seatbelts and what to do, and it’s really joyful to see them having a good time for the morning,” the captain said.

He said the children’s excitement was contagious.

“I’ve got six kids mind with similar age groups, but to be able to do something for others and give them a good time and bit of excitement for an hour or so – it’s worthwhile.”

Brighter Lives Townsville Hospital Foundation gifts and grants officer Bec Alferez said 5th Aviation ran Operation Care Bear several times each year to take sick children from the hospital and their parents or guardian up in a helicopter.

“They get to take their minds off things, and it’s just a nice thing to do that changes things up from going to doctor’s appointments and treatments that this is something fun and exciting that they get to do.

“I just thank you, 5th Aviation, for making this possible and allowing us to help brighten up patients and their family’s lives and helping them make it a bit better when they’re in hospital -thank you very much.”

Originally published as Operation Care Bear soars as helicopter rides bring joy to Townsville’s young patients