''Cool'', ''awesome'' and ''really exciting'' was how Upper Clutha children (from left) Caleb Smith (11), of Wanaka, Hayley Yule (13), of Albert Town, and Grace Gillies (9), of Lake Hawea, summed up their helicopter ride to Mt Burke Peninsula yesterday morning.
They were the recipients of a 30-minute flight donated to the Upper Clutha Children's Medical Trust by Alpine Helicopters at the Gathering of Geezers charity motorsport dinner in November. Donations were also made by PG Knight, of Christchurch, and Andy Wilton, of Wanaka.
''It was really exciting. We got some pretty good views,'' Hayley said after landing at Wanaka Airport.
Grace, who has cerebral palsy, said the flight ''was awesome'', while Caleb, who has Down syndrome, described the experience as ''cool''.
