Local boy with rare condition given chance to fly in helicopter

Hereford Lions gave a local boy the opportunity to fly in a helicopter earlier this month.

9-year-old Sam Weale from Herefordshire was an active boy until he was struck by the rare disorder, Adrenoleukodystrophy.

The family, Rob and Sarah and his six year old sister Bethan are caring for Sam at their home in Sutton St Nicolas.

When they asked if there was anything special he would like to do Sam said he wanted to fly in a helicopter.

Tracy Lowe, a children’s community nurse contacted Hereford Lions Club who in turn got in touch with Alan Ramsden, owner of Tiger helicopters based at Shobdon aerodrome who immediately offered to take Sam for a ride in a helicopter, together with the family.

They flew over their home in Sutton St Nicolas and the village school he attends.

His mother, Sarah, herself a nurse said : “”It was a wonderful treat for Sam and he was so excited to be flying in a helicopter, thanks to Lions Club and Alan Ramsden.”