Hi all,
Just thought I'd add some extra information on the Airbash in response to previous posts.
The purpose of the bash (in fact all bashes - the car, the 4WD, the 'splash') is to raise money for children's charities (apart from having a great time). To do that, entries are charged and we make no bones about that being a considerable sum of money. However there are some points to make regarding the raising of that money.
- The bulk of the $10k is actually a donation to charity and so fully tax deductible. For those on the top tax bracket, this equates to getting $3600 back from the ATO, for those earning more than $80k but less than $180k, the tax back from the ATO is $3040.
- The idea of the bash is to raise money from your friends, community, work etc in the name of a good cause - the Variety Club have many years experience in fundraising and Cam Smith, the Variety organiser will be able to make suggestions and provide assistance in your fund raising for the event. Granted, wholesale modifications and big logos and small aircraft don't mix quite in the way that the cars do but the Splash participants usually don't have the big logos either and they manage to raise money quite successfully - it just needs some imagination! By way of example, last years car bash saw one entrant raise over $80,000 in sponsorship and donations, this year he almost achieved the same thing.
- The legs are deliberately short and refuelling arrangements will be provided to allow you to go minimum fuel and maximum pax. Bring along 2-3-4 mates and split the cost. Before you know it you'll have brought the price down from "oh my God $10k" to a "managable $2k or less"
- Finally, think of the money going to charity and, not disparaging those who run commercial trips but, not to a commercial operator. Enroute we hope to use our charity status to secure reasonable fuel discounts and accomodation and there should be good media coverage as well - a lot of the money raised is distributed along the way.
FunFlight is pleased to be supporting Variety in the Airbash 2010 and money raised will come to us as well as to communities along the way. Again, I don't deny that it sounds like a lot but we all know how to make a small fortune in aviation......!
Hope to see you there,
Richard Ogilvie
FunFlight
FunFlight Australia