Sky high service: Volunteer Angel Flight Pilot Gregory Dillenbeck pictured at the Corowa Airport after returning from Oaklands where he gave a special presentation.
For more than a decade, Gregory Dillenbeck has volunteered as a pilot for Angel Flight Australia, a charity organisation that transports patients from rural and remote locations to the city for non-urgent medical treatment.
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As part of his volunteer work with Angel Flight Mr Dillenbeck travelled to Oaklands last Tuesday to speak with the Oaklands CWA where he shared information about the charity and the wonderful work they do.
With over 90 missions completed and a passion for helping others, Mr Dillenbeck was only too happy to visit the rural farming community and create awareness about the organisation.
“Angel Flight is a free charity service for anyone in regional Australia,” Mr Dillenbeck said.
“The whole aim of Angel Flight is to provide transport. Sometimes we are confused with the Rural Flying Doctors, but we are not medically trained, and we don’t carry any aeromedical staff or equipment.
“Essentially, we are a door-to-door service with both ‘Angel’ pilots and land ‘Angels’.
“The assigned pilot picks patients up and takes them into either Bankstown, Sydney or sometimes Newcastle.
“We have a land Angel meet us at the airport who drives them to accommodation, hospital or wherever they need to go.”
Mr Dillenbeck said there is no limit on age, having transporting mothers with their infants, right through to elderly patients.
“We will provide the service to anyone who needs it,” he said.
“We also rely on donations only. I volunteer my time and the aircraft, and the charity pays for my fuel.”
In Oaklands, Mr Dillenbeck shared information about Angel Flight including videos and personal experiences having travelled all over the state from White Cliffs to Warialda.
“I really enjoy creating awareness about Angel Flight place because we don’t advertise at all,” he said.
“When Heather (Kerr) approached me and asked if I would be willing to travel to Oaklands, I said ‘I’d love to’ because I love country environments.
“It was really special to travel to Oaklands. I spoke with a number of residents and 10 kids who were lovely. There was a particular lovely young girl who was very switched on and asked plenty of questions.
“For me, when you connect with audience and they start asking questions and get excited, it’s wonderful. The hospitality was phenomenal also.”
Angel Flight Australia is the initiative of Bill Bristow OAM, a successful businessman, experienced pilot and winner of the Australian of the Year Award in 2005.
In 2009, Bill was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for service to rural and remote communities through the establishment of Angel Flight Australia and as a supporter of other charitable organisations.
For more information, or to donate visit www.angelflight.org.au.
Mr Dillenbeck pictured in Oaklands sharing about the wonderful charity organisation Angel Flight Australia.
