Air Smiles – young north Wales careers take to the skies in a fun day of flight at Broughton

More than 30 young carers from across North Wales took to the skies from Broughton last weekend as part of an Air Smiles Day aimed at giving them a break from their responsibilities.

Airbus teamed up with leading UK aviation charity Fly2Help to host an action packed event which included a pleasure flight, a mock crime scene investigation with North Wales Police and a range of other activities.

Airbus graduates and apprentices ran interactive experiments such as flying remote controlled model aircraft and demonstrations about how aircraft fly.

Young carers enjoying the Wing Academy activity with Airbus graduates and apprentices

The young carers came from Flintshire, Denbighshire, Wrexham, Conwy and Powys and for some, it was their first experience of flying in an aircraft.

In addition to the flights and interactive demonstrations, the young carers had rally car and fire engine experiences, learnt how to take fingerprints and watched the North Wales Police dog at work.

More pictures from the Air Smiles Event @Hawarden Airport this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/3qSAIc8hDF

— Sgt Sue Richards (@NWPSueRichards) September 27, 2014

Kath Hayes, Community Relations Manager for Airbus said:

“Caring for a relative is an enormous responsibility and even more so if the carer is a child and so an opportunity such as today for a short break can be highly rewarding.

“Seeing the smiles on the faces of everyone visiting Broughton today was inspiring for all those who gave their time to make the event such a huge success.”

Fly2help’s National Advisor, Helen Tempest, said:

“It was absolutely fantastic to see the young carers enjoying their day. One of them described the day as ‘the best day of his life’. I couldn’t wish for more than that.”

For more information on the activities of the Fly2help charity visit their website at www.fly2help.org