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View Full Version : Fly-A-Thon seeks to raise $1,000,000 for orphans in East Timor


PlankBlender
22nd Apr 2008, 05:42
This press release just out:

"The imminent departure of a unique nationwide fund raising tour dubbed “Fly Away To Heaven”, aiming to help the most vulnerable in Australia’s poorest neighbouring country East Timor, was announced today by Father John Fowles of the Immaculate Heart Of Mary Catholic Parish, Thurgoona, NSW.

In a bid to raise $1,000,000 to provide basic health care, nutrition, housing and schooling for orphans and widows in East Timor, Father John will set off on May 1st in an aeroplane built from a donated kit. He will be accompanied by at least ten other planes manned by pilots, supporters, and a dedicated camera man, all of whom have volunteered their time and expenses to help raise awareness for the plight of the poorest of the poor in Australia’s neighbouring country. Even more aviators have pledged to join the group for one or more legs of the journey.

The pilots, led by Father John’s aptly named “Angel Wings” light aircraft, will circumnavigate the Australian continent, stopping at over fifty airports across the country. Parish volunteers have been busy organising fund raising events in communities ranging from small aboriginal settlements to the nation’s capital cities, and Father John appealed today on behalf of the orphans of East Timor to his Australian countrymen: “We are hoping to speak to the hearts of thousands of good souls across the country who we invite to come together when we fly into their communities over the next weeks. We appeal to every man, woman and child in this great country to share a little of their wealth in the Christian spirit of loving their neighbours, so that the children of East Timor can have a roof over their head, eat a healthy meal every day and be educated so they can build a life and help pull their communities out of the dramatic poverty they live in today!”

The tour is accompanied by country singer Korey Livy, who has composed the song “Earth Angels Care” for the project. Revenues from CD sales and his live performances along the route will go directly to one of the projects of the initiative, which is focussing on social inclusion by sponsoring East Timorese youth to attend World Youth Day in Sydney later this year.

The initiative is supported by the Melbourne Overseas Mission and endorsed by The Hon Tim Fischer AC and the organisers of World Youth Day 2008, among others. It has defined a range of projects aiming to improve the basic circumstance of the people of East Timor. Father John and his group of volunteers are also looking for corporate sponsors who are willing to give back to the community by supporting one or more of such projects.

More information can be found on the website of the initiative at www.flyawaytoheaven.org.au (http://www.flyawaytoheaven.org.au/). The site also contains the flight plan, and information on how to donate or participate in this unique fund raiser.”

Only a week to go now, I'm excited, it'll be a great adventure! :O

PB

tio540
22nd Apr 2008, 07:12
:)Support this cause, the kids need help.

Some of the orphans live at 10,000' elevation, so it is freezing in winter. They need blankets and clothing, not to mention food.

The nuns that care for the kids distribute donations, and appreciate anything you can spare.

PlankBlender
26th Apr 2008, 00:37
Below the latest flight plan. Which ppruners will be coming to meet us and where? Post it here or PM me, please.:ok:There will be BBQ's or other events at most stops, so come along for a chat and a beer and support a good cause! :D

Date, Destination, Length of Stay, Lunch Break, Airport Overnight Destination
1-May, Albury - Bendigo Vic, Overnight, , Bendigo
2-May, Bendigo- Traralgon - Lilydale Vic, Overnight, LaTrobe Valley, Lilydale/Essendon
3-May, Lilydale - Ballarat - Warrnambool Vic, Overnight, Ballarat, Warrnambool
4-May, Warnambool - Mt Gambier - Adelaide SA , Overnight, Mt Gambier, Aldinga
5-May, Adelaide - Port Pirie , Overnight, Pt Pirie, Pt Pirie
6-May, Port Pirie - Quorn , Overnight, Ceduna, Quorn
7-May, Quorn - Ceduna - Forrest - Kalgoorlie WA, Overnight, , Kalgoorlie
8-May, Kalgoorlie - Mandurah WA, Overnight, , Murrayfield
9-May, Mandurah - Perth WA, 3 nights, , Jandakot
10-May, Mandurah - Perth WA, , ,
11-May, Perth, , ,
12-May, Perth - Geraldton WA , Overnight, , Geraldton
13-May, Geraldton - Carnarvon - Karratha WA, Overnight, Carnarvon, Karratha
14-May, Karratha - Pt Hedland - Broome WA , Overnight, Pt Headland, Broome
15-May, Broome - Derby - Kalumburu Mission (TBC) WA, Overnight, Derby, Kalumburu
16-May, Kalumburu Mission - Kununurra - Darwin NT, 2 nights, , Noonamah
17-May, Darwin NT, , ,
18-May, Darwin - Katherine - Tennant Creek NT, Overnight, Katherine, Tennant Creek
19-May, Tennant Creek - Mt Isa Qld, Overnight, , Mt Isa
20-May, Mt Isa - Charters Towers - Ingham, Overnight, Cloncurry, Ingham
21-May, Ingham - Townsville, , , Townsville
22-May, Townsville , 2 nights, , Townsville
23-May, Townsville - Shute Harbour - Mackay Qld, Overnight, Shute Harbour, Mackay
24-May, Mackay - Rockhampton - Bundaberg Qld, Overnight, Rockhampton, Bundagerg
25-May, Bundaberg - Maryborough - Hervey Bay Qld, Overnight, Maryborough, Hervey Bay
26-May, Hervey Bay - Redcliffe (Brisbane) Qld, Overnight, , Redcliffe
27-May, Redcliffe - Gold Coast (Jacobs Well) Qld, Overnight, , Jacob's Well
28-May, Gold Coast - Lismore - South Grafton NSW, Overnight, Lismore, South Grafton
29-May, South Grafton - Pt Macquarie - Taree NSW, Overnight, Pt Macquarie, Taree
30-May, Taree -Maitland - Sydney NSW, Overnight, Maitland, Hoxton Park
31-May, Sydney - Wollongong (Albion Park) - Moruya NSW, Overnight, Albion Park, Moruya
1-Jun, Moruya - Merimbula - Canberra ACT, Overnight, Merimbula, Canberra
2-Jun, Canberra - Albury NSW, Overnight, , Albury

* This schedule is 95% there but subject to change, please check with the organisers for actual dates and time, which will also be posted on www.flyawaytoheaven.org.au (http://www.flyawaytoheaven.org.au) once the tour is under way.