Kristian Allen from Wisbech enjoys a 'Phab' day out flying high

A club volunteer from Wisbech had his head in the clouds on a recent day out organised as a thank-you for his help.

Kristian Allen, took to the skies in a plane over Staffordshire, thanks to Wisbech Phab Club which organised the special trip.

The thirty-one-year-old who has cerebral palsy and has been a regular helper at the Wisbech Phab Club was able to enjoy a flying lesson in a specially adapted plane thanks to Phab UK and their Wings on Tour project.

Kristian, who has undergone 13 operations and has also spent residential time at the Peto Institute in Hungary to undergo treatment for his condition, has always fancied flying a plane so the recent trip to Tatenhill airfield near Burton on Trent, was a dream come true.

He said: "It was absolutely awesome. When I was a child, before terrorism kicked in, I was allowed into the cockpit of a plane when I was coming home from Budapest.

"There weren't many people on the plane and the pilot let me stay on the flight deck while we landed into Heathrow - it was an amazing experience and I always thought I would love to have a go at learning to fly.

"It is really quite an expensive hobby, and at the moment I'm working on getting my driving licence, but who knows maybe one day I will be able to get my pilot's licence.

"Flying the plane and being in control gave me a really great sense of freedom. My girlfriend Danielle Philips came with me and she's scared of flying, but she actually enjoyed the experience too."

Kristian is due to go back to see specialists at Norwich hospital in August when the doctors will decide whether or not he needs another operation on his legs.

At the moment he is working out in the gym every day to try to improve his leg strength after reconstructive surgery on his hip left him more reliant on his wheelchair.

"I was lucky to be able to go to the Peto Institute when I was a boy, they are the best in the world at treating cerebral palsy. I loved Hungary and even learned Hungarian, while I was there on a residential stay. It is frustrating that an operation on my hip has meant I need to use my wheelchair more," said Kristian, who helps out at the regular Wisbech Phab Club meetings.

The club is always looking for new volunteers to help out especially with driving its minibus so members can enjoy outings.

The club, which meets alternate Tuesdays at the Oasis Centre has a Facebook page for anyone wanting to find out more.