September 28, 2020
COVID-19 can’t stop the Kingaroy Aero Modellers Society members from holding their annual fly-in October, but this year the fun event will also have a more serious side.
Club vice-president Dean Eckart was diagnosed with leukaemia earlier this year and has been receiving chemotherapy.
The fly-in, on October 17-18, will be an opportunity for the club to raise funds to support the work of the Leukaemia Foundation.
John Box – who was re-elected KAMS president at the recent AGM – said the public was invited to come along to the fly-in to watch the aircraft in action and “have a go” (for a $5 donation).
COVID-19 restrictions will apply and there will be hand-sanitising stations at the site entry and in the pits and canteen areas.
John said Dean received a bone marrow transplant last week but still had months of treatment ahead of him.
This is the latest health scare for the keen aeromodeller who has been wheelchair-bound for more than a decade.
In 2007, the semi-professional motocross rider suffered a severe injury when riding.
He speared headfirst into a bank; his spinal cord was severed at the seventh thoracic vertebra, both his lungs were punctured, seven ribs were broken, and he came very close to puncturing his aorta.
Dean was flown to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane where he was diagnosed as a complete paraplegic, paralysed from the chest down.
He had been involved in aeromodelling before the crash but returned to it with a vengeance afterwards.
John said KAMS had passed on its thoughts, prayers and best wishes to Dean and his family.
People who would like to support the fundraiser but can’t make it to the fly-in, are invited to make donations directly to the Leukaemia Foundation: BSB: 082-057 / Account: 856164475 / Ref: 961644.
- Related article: Dean’s Dreams Take Flight
