A Queensland children's charity set up last year is embarking on a fundraising air rally around the state later this year, with teams already entering the event.
The Hummingbird House Charity Air Safari will leave Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport on 1 October and fly around Queensland for eight days, with participating teams raising money for Hummingbird House. The charity is Queensland's only children's hospice, established in October last year to provide care for children facing life-ending illnesses and their families.
Event organizer, Lance Smith AM, who has been involved with a number of large-scale charitable events over the years including Sydney’s children’s hospice, Bear Cottage and the Angel Flight Outback Trailblazer said he was thrilled to bring the 2017 Hummingbird House Air Charity Safari to life.
“The Charity Air Safari and its many associated special events and activities will be a media magnet that will spread the word far and wide through the length and breadth of Queensland – alerting its people and importantly, the medical fraternity to this fantastic new facility that is available at no charge whatsover to families of children with life-limiting illnesses,” he said.
“Already, we’ve been humbled by the amount of support received from a number of businesses and organisations who have put up their hands to support the inaugural Charity Air Safari including Queensland Airports Corporation, Wagners, Stonestreets Coaches, Woollam Constructions, Whitsunday Airport, Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport, Marsh Insurance and Toowoomba Regional Council.”
Event Patron is well-known Queensland aviator Grant Kenny, who will also take part in the safari with his team Kenny and the Jetts.
"I don’t know what I am looking forward to most on the 2017 Hummingbird House Charity Air Safari," Kenny says in his Patron's Message, "the ‘60s music night at the famous Birdsville Hotel; the aviation and stockman’s history at Longreach; the Winton Dinosaur Trails; the Bavarian Oktoberfest and pom pah pah band in Yaraka (population 23); or the Coral Sea Olympics on Daydream Island. It all sounds like great fun from start to finish and I’m sure there will be many great stories told along the way.
"I do know is that my air safari team will have a fantastic experience on the event and I look forward to meeting and welcoming you all while also raising funds for and the awareness of the children of Hummingbird House."
Hummingbird House is hoping to have 30-40 aircraft participating, with each team committing to raising at least $4000 for the children's hospice.
Planned Itinerary
Day 1: Wellcamp – St George – Charleville
Day 2: Charleville – Windorah – Birdsville
Day 3: Birdsville – Winton – Yaraka
Day 4: Yaraka – Lark Quarry – Longreach
Day 5: Longreach – Muttaburra – Longreach
Day 6: Longreach – Whitsunday Airport (Airlie Beach)
Day 7: No flying ... Daydream Island
Day 8: Whitsunday – Wellcamp
More information is available on the Hummingbird House Charity Air Safari website.