An Irish couple living in Sydney has donated a $1 million plane to Australian children’s charity Little Wings.
Speaking to Nine radio station 2GB, Adrian Ruane said he enjoyed flying in his spare time and noticed the charity’s planes around Bankstown Airport.
He became curious and learnt that it provided free flights and transport for seriously sick children in regional and rural areas in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland.
The cause hit close to home, as his wife Ciara lost her five-year-old sister to neuroblastoma in 1999.
“Adrian, obviously he loves his flying, he said when we had the plane that we would donate it to the Little Wings because they do such wonderful work,” Ciara said.
“That’s where the inspiration all came from.”
Adrian contacted Little Wings and was there the next day to hand over the plane.
“I don’t think she took me serious,” he said.
“I landed there the next morning with it, with a box full of books for the airplane and the covers and all that, and I said that we’re going to tow across the airplane later on today.”
The plane was sent off to be dressed in Little Wings signage. It also has Ciara’s sister’s name on the topmost part of the tail.
Within weeks, the plane was on missions.
“Ireland, obviously being so small, there’s no care that’s too far away, whereas, in Australia, it’s a completely different ball game,” Ciara said.
“So it’s amazing that the plane can do such wonderful journeys for all the little kids.”
“Being a dad of three boys, and we’ve another boy on the way, and understanding how important it is for these children to be taken into Sydney from regional for care,” Adrian said.
Little Wings on social media said the donation would have an “immense” impact on regional families.
