A volunteer organization offering medical flight services from the Kootenays to Kelowna continues to seek funding support.

Angel Flight East Kootenay, founded by retired airline captain Brent Bidston, is an entirely volunteer-led organization with no paid employees.

“Our mission is to fly fully ambulatory cancer patients, children and their parents from the Kootenays to treatment centres in Kelowna. Each flight is planned based on the individual requirements of the client, their appointment times and time necessary to get to the treatment facility,” Angel Flight East Kootenay’s website explains.

Angel Flight will fly in light aircraft with volunteer pilots initially from Sparwood’s Elk Valley Airport and Cranbrook’s Canadian Rockies International Airport to Kelowna.

“Moving forward we hope to have flights operated from other airports in the Kootenays – more volunteer professional pilots will be recruited as demand for flights increases.”

Angel Flight stresses due to several reasons it can only provide air service for fully ambulatory patients.

“As our aircraft are small, passengers must be able to move around with little or no assistance. We DO NOT provide flights for any person who is wheelchair dependent, has a communicable illness or who requires medical assistance in flight,” it explains.

The organization is currently accepting donations to help the initiative start. If you are a business, please email them at [email protected] to learn how you can help.

They are also currently accepting donations via a gofundme option as well.

Images from Angel Flight East Kootenay

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