– by Karen Morgan –
“My Mum, Dad and Mother-in-law all passed away in the good hands of the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Nursing staff and for that I will always be grateful. I feel that this may have been my way of saying thanks.”
With those words, Mike Scholefield completed 14 years of spearheading “Victoria’s Largest Little Airshow”. For almost a decade and a half, Mike has rallied a small group of radio-controlled model airplane enthusiasts to dedicate a (usually) gorgeous summer weekend to entertain adults and children alike. While the club is all-male, the event has become a family affair, with spouses assisting in the sales of food, raffle and 50/50 tickets.
It’s amazing what they can make fly. Guests to the Michell Airfield, as their field on the Lochside Trail is known, have seen a flying lawnmower and iron, Aladdin and his magic carpet, the Wicked Witch on her broom, Snoopy battling the Red Baron, and most surprisingly, Superman (complete with a visit by the Man of Steel after his flight!).
Mike and the Victoria Radio-Controlled Model Society have also invited award-winning international modellers to come and show us the “right stuff” (model version). It’s a weekend that has attracted a growing number of people from the Saanich Peninsula and Victoria. This year’s show was seen by almost 3,500 adults and children.
The club has taken full advantage of the opportunity to do some fundraising. And for a small group, it’s been wildly successful. This year, the club will contribute $14,000 each to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation and CFAX Santas Anonymous. That brings the 14-year total contributed to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation to almost $120,500 – an astounding and heart-warming result.
To Mike, Jack Price, and all the members of VRCMS, everyone at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation would like to say a big, heart-felt thank you for your spirit of generosity, along with your enormous sense of fun!
