Wouldn’t it be cool to fly a poppy round New Zealand raising money for the RSA?
A few years ago, it was just a passing thought. The sort of thing that someone else organizes. Except that no one else did. So, determined to make it happen, we pulled together a team of volunteers for this ambitious project and chose to remember the past and look ahead to a brighter future.
The Poppy & Star Flight is a major fundraiser bringing together remembrance and hope for the future. It will encourage our children to remember those who fought for our freedom, many of whom who paid the ultimate price, and encourage them to think about returned service men and women who need our help and support now. It will also encourage them to think about and support children and their families who are dealing with illness and challenges most of us can only imagine. Our collective fundraising will help The RSA and The Starship Foundation continue to provide the care needed in many areas. The Poppy & Star Flight will also help keep our aviation history alive through the NZ Warbirds Association, without whom the flight would not be possible.
Originally planned for the lead up to ANZAC Day 2020 but cancelled the week before departure due to lockdown, the project was moved forward to ANZAC Day 2021
How will it work?
Each day, departing on March 26th 2021, 34 volunteer pilots will carry a knitted poppy and star on their flight sector, with the town of arrival hosting a welcome party where the local communities and schools can get involved with fundraising at a fun and educational event. There will be the opportunity to add poppies and stars to the original small pieces of artwork so that they grow on the way round, showing nationwide support for the charities.
The finished Poppy and Star will be presented along with the donations on ANZAC Day 2021.
The Poppy & Star Flight is being organised by Melanie and Kevin Salisbury of Aviation Tours NZ, who are happy to give their time freely to the project, with all funds raised going directly to the RSA, the Starship Foundation and NZ Warbirds. There will be huge support needed from many people along the journey giving both time and money to help make the project a success, thank you in advance to all who contribute financially, or with time.
Please check out our help page to see how you can help and like us on Facebook so that you can keep up with the news.
Thank you all for your support.
Kev and Mel Salisbury, Aviation Tours NZ