AV flies into Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal

April 2, 2024 | in News

Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) air ambulance made a special visit to an aspiring helicopter pilot on Friday, as part of The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Good Friday Appeal.

15-year-old James, who dreams of a career in aviation, was delighted to get up close and personal with the flight crew.

15-year-old James is seated in a wheelchair and in front of the Ambulance Victoria helicopter. Four Ambulance Victoria flight paramedics are beside James.

Ambulance Victoria flight paramedics were delighted to meet with aspiring pilot, 15-year-old James, at the Royal Children’s Hospital. Photo: Alvin Aquino.

Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) Flight Paramedic, Darren Hodge has attended the RCH on Good Friday for several years, and said it was always a special experience.

“It’s a treat for the children and us,” he said.

“After 39 years as a paramedic, I can say responding to cases with children is the hardest thing we do, so these visits are very rewarding.

“We’re fortunate to have one of the best trauma hospitals in the southern hemisphere and it’s important to support them.”

This year’s RCH Good Friday Appeal had an extra tie to AV, with Warragul Paramedic Jacob Every’s two-year-old son Finley, being one of the Faces of the Appeal.

Finley was born with myelomeningocele – a severe form of spina bifida and at six weeks old was diagnosed with bilateral vocal cord paralysis.

Finley has already undergone four major surgeries, various MRIs, x-rays and scope studies and requires regular care and treatment from specialist teams at the RCH.

In support of Finley and the RCH, AV employees attended the 3AW Climb for the Kids event and participated in the recent Run for the Kids.

This year’s Good Friday Appeal raised over $23 million dollars for the RCH with all funds helping to provide world-class care to patients and families by funding research, state-of-the-art equipment and technology and family care programs.