Green light to fly home
Government allows Nate to return to Townsville
A TOWNSVILLE boy who has been stuck in regional New South Wales will soon be able to wrap his arms around his mum and dad for the first time in three months, after Queensland Health finally gave the green light for him to come home.
Nate Russell, 10, has been stranded at his grandparents’ home in Orange since June after a surprise school holiday trip was ruined by the state government border closure due to a Covid-19 outbreak.
His mum, Kaycee Thomas, has been battling Queensland Health to get him back to Townsville, but with the costs of flights and hotel quarantine, the $6000 expense was more than the family could afford.
After pressure from the Townsville Bulletin, Queensland Health approved Nate’s home quarantine exemption Thursday night.
He will be back on North Queensland soil on Saturday afternoon, with the help of Angel Flight Australia.
Ms Thomas was relieved the wait to see her boy was almost over after the exhausting battle.
“I’ve been so up and down, I’m very glad it’s all been approved, but it should never have come to this,” Ms Thomas said.
“Solutions for families like us should have come earlier, and without the intervention of media. These exemptions should be looked at on a caseby-cases basis.” Angel Flight CEO Marjorie Pagani said she was extremely thrilled to be able to help get Nate home.
“It’s excellent news for Nate and his family,” Ms Pagani said.
Angel Flight wrote to the chief health officer on September 7 offering the mercy flight for Nate.
A pilot from Sydney will fly to Orange on Saturday morning, pick up Nate and his grandad, and fly them to Archerfield Airport at Brisbane.
A pilot from Brisbane will then step into the captain’s seat, Ms Thomas will jump on board and Nate’s granddad will fly back to Orange.
Nate and his mum will then fly to Townsville where he will complete 14 days’ home quarantine.
Ms Thomas hoped her situation triggered change for other families going through the same struggles.
“I hope this really sets a standard,” she said.