A joyride in a helicopter in front of your school mates is possibly the best early birthday present any soon-to-be eight-year-old could ask for.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Year 2 student at Young North Public School, Cooper Wrona - who turns eight tomorrow - was the lucky student selected to hop aboard a private helicopter as part of the Variety AHA NSW Bash visit to the school on Monday.
But that wasn’t before a 75 vintage car convoy and 250 “Bashers”, dressed up as all sorts of characters, descended on the grounds almost three hours earlier.
It was Variety’s 24th annual bash to raise money for seriously ill, disabled or disadvantaged children.
It included a 2050km journey to 11 towns in NSW, a special gift to the school, a magic show and a helicopter ride for one student and his mother.
Cooper’s name was drawn out of a hat of 12 other students - one from each class at the school - who were nominated by their teachers.
Cooper and his mum Kerby Wrona were very excited to ride in a helicopter for the first time.
Cooper said he was looking forward to “going up in the air” the most.
His classmates waved back at him from the ground as the helicopter slowly ascended.
The bash has been described as a carnival on wheels and that’s just what students and the school community experienced when they rolled into town.
The likes of Bob the Builder, Ninja Turtles, Scooby Doo, the Smurfs and everything inbetween stopped in for breakfast at 7am on the school’s oval surrounded by children.
Organisers presented school principal Kel Smerdon with 10 laptops worth $5000 for the school’s new IT centre in the library.
The school also received sporting equipment, an iPad and bags of goodies for students.
“We were happy to host them regardless, we didn’t expect to be getting anything but it was a nice surprise,” Kel said.
“The time spent with them over breakfast, I discovered giving people are really happy people and they enjoy what they’re doing.
“I’d like to say thanks to the Young North Public School’s P&C committee who got up to feed 250 people.”
With one wave of the ‘start’ flag at 9am to indicate the next leg of their journey, the convoy revved up their engines and blasted music from their portable speakers as “Bashers” waved, danced and sung their way out of the grounds.
A lone parent in an apron stood near the gate handing out apples and oranges on their departure.
It left one little girl - Year 1 student Keira Wolfenden - saying “that was the best day of my life”.
