By Michael Doran
Lilydale Flying Club once again brightened the lives of families dealing with life’s challenges in the 11th Annual FunFlight Day on 28 October.
This year around 1,700 people across Australia took to the skies on a FunFlight. Since launching in 2007 close to 12,000 people have been up in the air thanks to the project.
FunFlight was conceived when founder, Michel Verheem, had the idea to do something special for sick and disadvantaged children. He told Michael Loccisano, now a fellow director, about his idea and the special day has grown from there.
The first flight was set up as a one-off event with 15 aircraft doing joy-flights from Moorabbin Airport down to Tyabb and return.
“We had more than 200 come along, from organisations like the Starlight Foundation, Heart Kids and Cancer Kids,” said Mr. Loccisano, who is also an Angel Flight volunteer pilot.
“It was such a success we both wanted to do more and that’s why we formed FunFlight,” he said.
“Everything is done by volunteers and we could get more flights happening if we had more resources. FunFlight provides the fuel but all the aircraft, pilots and food comes from the aero clubs themselves.”
“We are very fortunate that we were given a bequest that allows us to pay for the fuel, which is close to $50,000 this year.”
“No one in FunFlight gets paid; everything is done on a volunteer basis. We have expanded our Board of Directors and will be looking at ways to get even bigger and better in 2019.”
“As pilots we love the experience of being in the air and we want to share that with kids who may never have been in an airplane. These kids, and their families, are facing adversity every day so we want them to forget about that for today and just have some fun.”
Lilydale Flying Club had a variety of aircraft in the air heading toward Eildon, Macedon or out to Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne.
The club also organised face-painting, a hairdresser, barbecue and drinks for everyone, all provided by volunteers and club members.
Club member Tony Collett said, “Today is a day where families who are dealing with challenges get to share a fun time together and some excitement for the day. All the club members love being a part of the FunFlight program and doing what we can for the kids.”
