Serving Our People has officially unveiled its new aviation arm through a pioneering partnership with the Southport Flying Club, which will see the delivery of essential goods in the face of disaster recovery using a network of private aircraft and their pilots.
Armed with a new aviation capacity through Southport Flying Club, Serving Our People can now rapidly mobilise air support during disasters or times of need, delivering food and other critical supplies to affected communities.
Serving Our People’s aviation arm is a significant advancement in the organisations philanthropic mission, giving the charity access to Southport Flying Club’s fleet of 150 aircraft and their pilots, including helicopters, propelling its ability to reach remote or disaster-stricken locations quickly.
“This collaboration will revolutionise our ability to respond swiftly to crises. Air support means we can bypass damaged roads, the time it takes to mobilise ground crews and reach isolated communities faster than ever before,” said Serving Our People NSW Vice President Val Malinovskiy.
Malinovskiy emphasised the significance of the charity’s aviation capability, which gives Serving Our People the immediate ability to mobilise across states:
“Our pilots and aircraft are ready to support this worthy charity by fast-tracking their mission to reach people in need,” said Southport Flying Club President Craig Hobart.
“Our club and its members are proud to put our skills and resources to use.”
Hobart, a pilot for Angel Flight for the last 18 years, said the Southport Flying Club approached Serving Our People to offer logistical support, “Our club has a proud history of supporting charity organisations in their important work to reach rural and regional communities. Once a mission comes in, a call out is sent to our membership of pilots who are only too happy to lend their skill, aircraft and expertise to help.”
The Southport Flying Club facilitated three deliveries of food to Northern NSW for Serving Our People last month, flying two aircraft and food packages weighing 350 kilograms into Lismore and Casino for people still struggling to find their feet after the mass flooding event of 2022.
Val says many communities, like those in Northern NSW, face years of struggle after natural disasters. When other charities and government assistance moves on – Serving Our People can maintain a regular system of support through air delivery.
“Serving Our People is always looking for ways to reach more people and offer a sophisticated and reliable level of support. We’re not just here to support phase one of recovery, Serving Our People provides ongoing assistance and much-needed supplies for as long as people and communities need it.”
Yas Matbouly, President and Founder of Serving Our People, says the charity’s response time and ability to cover more ground is significantly enhanced by introducing aviation as a means of distribution, “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Southport Flying Club. Their generous commitment of aircraft and pilots will help us deliver aid more efficiently and to a much broader range of communities in need,” he said.
“Serving Our People is now in a prime position to be faster than anyone else at responding to disaster.”
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