Little Wings provide free flight and ground transport services for sick children in rural and regional NSW. With funds ceasing and community needs rising as a direct result of COVID, Royal Far West (who connect Australian country children to the developmental care they need), also saw a a dramatic reduction in their funding.

Clarence Valley was hit particularly hard in the fires. Homes destroyed in the Liberation Trail fire in the Clarence Valley alone totaled 169*, and a local school burnt down. For those caring for children with complex medical, psychological and emotional needs, the loss of property, employment, routine and stability compounded the situation.

The $6,000 Recovery and Resilience Grant enabled Little Wings to keep aircraft in the sky by covering fuel and maintenance costs, and enabled Royal Far West to provide a social worker, medical specialists and psychologists as required.

59 children aged 2.5 –12 years in the Clarence Valley benefitted from clinics hosted by local schools, with 30 local professionals including teachers, nurses, social workers and GPs receiving direct training and support to ensure ongoing support and intervention between appointments.

Find out more about Little Wings and volunteer opportunities HERE

*National Recovery and Resilience Agency https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/black-summer-bushfires-nsw-2019-20/