Paying it forward. I’m taking on an epic challenge this March – and I would love support.

As our family and friends know, we have been incredibly well supported by Starship and their National Air Ambulance over the years, and this March I am biking to help raise funds for their invaluable service.  

Our first trip with the Starship Air Ambulance was 10 years ago, 18th February 2016.  Amelia (then 8) had been unwell on and off for months.  After yet another trip to the Dr and an admission to the Whanganui Childrens Ward, scans revealed a large mass in Amelia's abdomen. We were told to get a bag packed and they would be flying her to Starship Hospital in 20 minutes.  The blow of shock and disbelief of hearing your child is seriously ill, was lessened slightly by the incredible flight crew and nurses travelling with us.  While caring for Amelia on the journey, they quickly prepared me for some of what we would experience once we arrived at Starship.

Amelia was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma that had metastasized to her lymph nodes and bone marrow.  Starship became our 2nd home for 19 months while she received "the works" of cancer treatment.  The Starship Air Ambulance service (in conjunction with Air Whanganui) provided safe travel for her (numerous times) when she was at her most vulnerable, and in August 2017 provided safe travel home to Whanganui for our new arrival, Eden.  Born prematurely during Amelia's final week of inpatient treatment in Starship, Eden has often been referred to as the rainbow after our storm.

Our family is forever grateful for the wonderful care and support we received from so many people during our time of need, and see this is another wonderful way for us to help pay it forward to others who will need this service - the only flying Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Aotearoa, in the future.

Thank you for your support, either by way of donation or by simply reading our story and sharing this worthy cause with others to create awareness.  Forever grateful - the Bennett family xx