FunFlight News

The inaugural FunFlight that took place on 3 June in Melbourne has been a huge success!
By Michel Verheem
June 12, 2007

The inaugural FunFlight that took place on 3 June in Melbourne has been a huge success! 

Flying with 43 light aircraft from Moorabbin Airport, 120 FunFlight participants (children with a serious illness, their siblings and parents) experienced a birds-eye view of Port Phillip Bay before landing at Tyabb Airport, where the Peninsula Aero Club (PAC) supplied a lunch. PAC had also organised a display of a number of World War II aeroplanes, parachutists and an aerobatics show by Australia's number one air-show performer, Pip Borman.  The police helicopter flew in for a visit and the younger children could relax with a jumping castle and a petting zoo.

FunFlight worked closely with Starlight Children's Foundation and CanTeen to identify children and families in need of a fun day out.

Richard Ogilvie, from the FunFlight organising committee said: "The day was exactly what we hoped it would be. It was marvellous to see the participants excited and happy, being able to forget about their next hospital visit or their next chemo treatment. You should have seen their faces when Pip Borman showed-off his unbelievable stunts! Many kids stood there with their eyes wide open, not wanting to miss one single moment. Pip was mobbed like a pop star after he landed and many kids wanted to get their picture taken with him, in front of his aircraft."

Founder of FunFlight, Michel Verheem said that the FunFlight concept came about through the Landmark Education Self Expression and Leadership Program and its requirement to create a community event. "It started out as a group of friends with 5 or so aircraft organising a joy flight for perhaps 15 kids. Then the Peninsula Aero Club, Moorabbin Airport, the Royal Victorian Aero Club and Angel Flight got involved and before we knew it, it has mushroomed to what it is today: 43 aircraft and 120 participants."

"The feedback from everyone, the participants, sponsors, pilots and volunteers have been unbelievable, and all have expressed that they are eager to do this again. Through the website we have received so many requests from pilots from across the whole nation that we have decided to take FunFlight nationally!" "Without our sponsors this would not have been possible, and, from the kids and their families, I really want to thank Redback Marine, Kazba Printing, Paige Lane PR, AirBP, Moorabbin Airport, Angel Flight, Thiess/Holland, RVAC, RJS Group, PAC, Creaware and The Web Showroom."

Both Channel Seven and Channel Nine covered the day in their evening news, showing exciting kids in their aircraft over the bay, and the activities in Tyabb. The Herald Sun published an article the next day (click here for article)