About FunFlight

FunFlight is a not-for-profit volunteer organisation that offers children and teenagers touched by adversity or a life changing illness, a day of ‘aeronautic entertainment' together with their families.

FunFlight works closely with charities like the Starlight Children's Foundation, HeartKids, Camp Quality and Variety, to take the children and their families on a joy flight and to provide an afternoon of fun at a local airport. It's an opportunity for these young people and their families to relax, to get away from the daily thoughts about their illness and life challenges, providing some mental and physical relief. FunFlight is just for fun!

FunFlight Australia collaborates with local aero clubs throughout Australia. Although FunFlight covers the cost of the fuel, the pilots participating in these events freely give their time and aircraft for the event.

FunFlight was conceived by Melbourne businessman Michèl Verheem (photo) as part of the Landmark Education ‘Self Expression and Leadership Program', where participants are asked to organise an event that impacts on their local community.

FunFlight started out small, with the idea to organise a joy flight for 10-15 children. On hearing about the initiative, Bill Bristow, founder of aviation charity, Angel Flight and the Peninsula Aero Club  offered their support, and the first event quickly grew to 48 aircraft, 130 passengers and a miniature airshow at Tyabb airport on Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula.

After the success of this first FunFlight day, we decided to formalise our organisation. With the assistance of KPMG and Allen Arthur Robbinson, FunFlight Australia was born, and became an official, registered charity.

Both in 2008 and 2009 FunFlight received a very substantial donation from the estate of Paul Burgess. This allowed FunFlight to shift gear and become a national event with international aspirations. (Read more about Paul here)