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WINGS OF COURAGE

By Ed & George

ED & GEORGE’S EPIC JOURNEY TO ULURU FOR YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH

These two teenagers, Ed (the pilot), and George (the mate), would like to ask for your help to raise much needed funds for Youth Mental Health this Christmas.

The 16-year-old pilot (Ed), and his mate (George,19) are heading on a 4000km journey across the outback from Orange to Uluru hoping to highlight the need to support those young people who are struggling with mental health. 

It is an epic flight... BUT just like life, the trip will be hard, complicated and at times bumpy, frustrating, and awe-inspiring... all wrapped up together!

The teen pilot (Ed) is lucky enough to be taking on the challenge to fly as pilot in command in a 4-seater Piper Arrow from Orange in the Central West all the way to Uluru and has spent months meticulously planning, learning and studying. The flying requires detailed plans for refuelling, navigation skills, and careful risk management analysis.

Accompanying Ed, 19 year old George is a truly inspiring individual. George has managed to get himself to university despite facing significant adversity as an orphan and is aiming to change the lives of others by becoming a primary school teacher. 

There is also Uncle Ed, a helicopter rescue pilot for the ambulance services in Saudi Arabia and the UK tagging along for support. 

The trio hope for your help over this festive season so we can all make a difference to those who need help.

Ed says, "If only one person sees this flight and talks with a friend, reaches out to headspace, or calls Lifeline, it will be worth the work and every kilometre".

George says "We all see friends struggle, whether it is at school, down the street or within family/friendships groups. It is not uncommon for young people to be in a big group or community but still feel alone …. we need to encourage them to reach out. If Ed and I can spread the message that seeking help is a strength - it will mean this epic trip will be immeasurably more worthwhile".

George's goal is to make a difference. 

Flying allows Ed to show us how remote some of our communities really are.

Having friends, family and cool uncles cheering you on - it's powerful. 

‘Being together on an epic adventure allows us to raise awareness and much needed funds for Headspace Youth Programmes.’

Please donate - every donation counts and goes directly to supporting Headspace.

** MASSIVE THANKS goes to Orange Flight Training (OFT) and Panorama Air in Bathurst, for the outstanding aviation training involved in this venture. **


Raised

$8,007

My Goal

$7,500

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My Achievements

Has Fundraising Page

Updated Profile Pic

Added a Blog Post

Received 5 Donations

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My Updates

Mission Accomplished - Thank you!

Wednesday 17th Dec
20.5 hours and no auto pilot, 8 landings in some of the most remote communities in Australia, 7 re-fuels, one puncture, one inner tube, windy runaways, 0330 starts, cold pizza for breakfast. Hot, challenging - uplifting and fun, all at the same time.  

Aimed for $500 ... and we are sitting on $7901!

The boys made it safely back to Orange after a massive 4000km trip yesterday afternoon - the green hills of the Central West after the spectacular outback, Lake Eyre, Uluru, Coober Pedy, Broken Hill and more.  

If this trip has helped, even in a small way, raise awareness around youth mental health - it has done its job. It will be open for a while in the hope that more funds and awareness can be raised. Many thanks to everyone who has helped this by donating, sharing, fixing tyres, offering lifts and generally being great people. 

Thank you!

Trevor - Wright Air - The magic of the Outback

Monday 15th Dec
In every great adventure there are a few curve balls ... and the boys on their mission to raise awareness for HEADSPACE and youth mental Health had one today!

Landing in Coober Pedy and sustaining a puncture on landing is a pretty big curve ball and an unexpected bump (pardon the pun!). 
Yep - unlike a car this is a little more difficult but cool heads were in the cock pit and once landed and safe the great Piper sat on the runway waiting for the Command Pilot - 16 year old Ed - to work out what to do when you land in the middle of nowhere with a puncture. The upside was everything else was great despite cross winds, and another upside was the cross wind was so strong it blew away the billion flies hovering around everyone's sweaty shirts.

In Australia - across our fantastic country - are great people who will lend a hand, give a mate some encouragement, or in this case fly their aeroplane with the best blokes inside and FIX YOUR PUNCTURE WITH THE SPECIALIST GEAR YOU NEED! 

So who is the hero? May we introduce you to WRIGHT AIR and the best blokes led by Trevor who flew in, worked on the Piper and got the boys and the piper parked up, sorted out, and left the boys with bellies full of laughs and a slap on their sweaty backs. Here is Wright Air - if anyone knows Trevor or the boys can they please buy them a beer.

Here is the insta - please follow and share if you can

Magical Uluru

Monday 15th Dec
A heartfelt thank you to the Anangu peoples who allowed us to come and share Uluru with them last night. In light of the tragic  events in Bondi the dawn ceremony was even more powerful. 


Please view our Instagram page for more info of the dawn service, our flight, Uncle Ed and the next stage of this adventure - and please please pretty please share! 


Huge thank you for all your donations - we have raised over $7000 dollars! 

Uluru Tonight

Sunday 14th Dec
The boys are trying to reach Uluru tonight - flying over some of the most remote communities in Australia - here's a pic . Good luck to the boys on a marathon journey today navigating military airspace, refuelling and the great outback

Qantas Manager - Broken Hill

Sunday 14th Dec
big thanks to the Qantas Manager at Broken Hill for giving the boys a lift in this morning! He gave them wings! If anyone knows him can they give him a slap on the back and buy him a beer. Thank you Qantas for flying in and out of these remote communities - your services are vital

Journeys like this mirror life - A Perspective from Chief Instructor Diego Cavieres

Sunday 14th Dec

A Young Pilot’s Extraordinary Journey

Ed Ashton is embarking on a truly remarkable flying adventure. Ed went solo for the first time on his 15th birthday, and since then there has been no slowing his growing list of aviation achievements. His latest goal—to fly from Orange to Uluru—is an ambitious cross-country journey stretching over 4,000 kilometres.

What does this mean in the world of aviation? Simply put, very few private pilots ever have the chance to undertake a trip of this scale in their lifetime. Even I, with years of flying behind me, have never completed such a long journey in a single-engine aircraft.

The challenges are not small. Every leg of the trip demands careful preparation, thoughtful planning, and a mindset ready to anticipate the worst while hoping for the best. A long cross-country flight like this requires meticulous attention to detail—weather patterns, fuel stops, terrain, alternate landing options, and equipment checks all need to be considered in advance.

Imagine arriving at a remote aerodrome only to discover the fuel supply has run dry, and the next refuelling point is hundreds of kilometres away. Situations like this are exactly why preparation is everything.

This will undoubtedly be a great adventure—one filled with learning, resilience, and unforgettable moments. Journeys like this mirror life - there are bumps in the road, curve balls that rock your plans and dreams, and like life it can be tough and complicated. 

I wish the boys all the best for their quest and hope they indeed raise funds and awareness for HEADSPACE. It will also be a journey that demands hard work, determination, and a pilot’s full commitment to safety and skill.

Good Luck from all the team at Orange Flight Training!


Orange Flight Training The Piper Arrow

Friday 12th Dec
Thanks to owners Nick, Mike and all the team at OFT (Diego, John, Ken, Harry, Owen) for the use of this aircraft, all the training, mentoring and expertise, a Piper Arrow P28R-200RT 4 seater. Nifty, full of the latest tech - good flying ahead this week in this set of wings.

Pan Air - Tammy and the Team in Bathurst - Thank you!

Friday 12th Dec
In order to get the next level of certification Panorama Air's Team in Bathurst helped our young pilot .... test, examine, and test again, fly, test, examine and fly. Hooded for instrument flying and tested again - they put him through all every safety check he needed to get ready and get qualified  Big thank you to Tammy, Andrew Luke and the team at Pan Air

Big Thanks to OFT

Friday 12th Dec
A big shout out to Orange Flight Training (www.orangeflighttraining.com.au) for their instruction since Ed was 13 years old. Here is Diego and Ed today at the final flight test. The weather was coming in, pretty stormy across the Central West but final tick of approval and the green light has been given for departure over this weekend. Eski to fill, final flight plans to tick off and it is time to spread the word! Please share the link with your friends and lets raise awareness and much needed funds for Headspace

Thank you to my Sponsors

$520

Susan Ashton

Great cause Ed and George, and everyone involved Fly safely Love Granny Sue

$520

Anonymous

$520

John Grant

It will be a great adventure for a good cause

$316.50

Amanda Watts

Believe Achieve Succeed … you have a community behind you

$263.75

John Hunter

What a great cause . Well done Ed , credit to you and your family

$263.75

Camilla And Andrew Strang

Hats off to Ed, and George, for taking on this challenge at such a young age, and for such a necessary cause.

$263.75

Cameron Whittaker

Great effort buddy. Well done

$263.75

Millamolong Polo Club

Well done boys

$263.75

Chris Mcintosh

Well done boys.

$257.75

Simon W & Jayne

Great work Ed Squared and George, travel safely ! :-)

$211

Charles Dowe

Good work boys. Hope it hasn’t been too bumpy!

$106.12

Ma #1

Good Luck Ed and George - may the wind be at your back and the skies clear for this epic trip!

$106.12

Ma #2

So proud of you- Ed and George!!! What an incredible journey for an incredible cause!!

$106.12

Ken Pidcock

You guys are amazing! Have a great trip. C’mon everyone - turn that $500 target into $5000!

$106.12

Maddie O’connell

Good luck!

$106.12

David Jefferson

Great stuff fellas, from Uncle Gaz!

$106.12

Malcolm Nutt

$106.12

Anna Maria Stillone

Dear Ed and George. What an epic adventure and experience for you both. Well done and good luck. This adventure will be with you for a lifetime. Xx

$106.12

Georgie Ward

$106.12

Andrew Ashton

Go Biggles and tye merry band of men- very impressed -love dad

$106.12

Pip Vaira

What a fantastic initiative Ed&George!

$106.12

Meredith

Go well, fly safely and enjoy the adventure

$106.12

Geoff Ball

Chocks away!! Great effort.

$106.12

Leiarna Dunworth

$106.12

Anonymous

Well done you guys!!!

$106.12

Sally Jefferson

Wishing you well & good luck and management Ed, George & Ed, for a fantastic flying journey, and for a great cause. Well done. Enjoy it. We’ll be cheering you on from the ground 👌✈️🙌🍀❎

$106.12

Edwina Ekins

Ed - a huge congrats for putting together this initiative and raising money for Headspace - an organisation that does so much for young people. I am happy you have your mate George with you as mates are really important! Go boys!!

$106.12

Kate Hook

What a fantastic, brave and generous adventure! Can’t wait to hear all about it! xx

$106.12

Sally Nash

Fantastic effort for a great cause!

$106.12

Katrina Sweetapple

Fantastic journey Ed

$106.12

Emily Ashton

How exciting!

$106.12

Margaret Waller

Well done guys

$106.12

David & Ange Head

$106.12

Sonya And Angus Dowling

Well done boys. Good luck !

$106.12

Daniel Cooke

Hope you are having an awesome time.

$106.12

Melanie Ashton

Well done! Great effort by you guys! Love Mum

$103.72

Matt Shephard

Have a safe flight

$54.12

Helen Lowy

What an amazing challenge for a very important cause. Well done.

$54.12

Ben Zvi

Have a great journey, everybody! Uncle Ed, this is the one time that it is OK for you to nap in the cockpit. ;-)

$54.12

The Grecian Family

This is epic! Have a wonderful and safe trip x

$54.12

Katherine Mcgloin

Hi Ed, wishing you a wonderful time with your uncle & George hope to see you again soon, “Nanna” xxx

$54.12

Candace

Well done on making a difference Nephew Ed, George, & of course cool Uncle Ed! A great opportunity to raise awareness and learn life lessons. May you continue being inspiring, Safe flight always!

$54.12

Anonymous

$54.12

Tamara Pidcock

Great initiative guys, well done! 👏

$54.12

Em Clinton

Well done boys. All the best for your amazing adventure! Stay safe and enjoy the view! Cheers, Em x

$54.12

Brigette Uren

Epic effort gentlemen! Moreso I’m sure for the nerves sustained by one’s parents! I wish the whole crew on the ground and in the skies a joyous experience to last a lifetime

$54.12

Alison Dinham

Enjoy your adventure and well done.

$54.12

Ma3

$54.12

Penny Chandler

Good Luck and Well done Ed and George. Amazing goal and achievement.

$54.12

Rochelle Yates

Best of luck

$54.12

Owen Zupp

$54.12

Warren B

Sitting at sunset at Uluru - John Hunter who I’ve known since 86 said you boys have just landed out here - awesome effort - the more we focus on young men’s health the better

$54.12

Sam And Lou

Inspiring young men. Best wishes.

$54.12

Emma Maguire

What an amazing thing to do and for such an important organisation! Brilliant!

$54.12

Ilana Lamont

Amazing cause! Congratulations on this extraordinary accomplishment!

$54.12

Alun Probert

Great work guys. Safe trip.

$54.12

Lucy Ashton

Up the lads, you’ve got this boys 💯💯

$50

Benjamin Jarvis

$50

Caytlin Conin

$33.15

Ewen Goldsobel

An absolutely amazing inspiring team for a truly worthy cause. You've already succeeded in achieving so much. Well done and good luck with the rest of this invaluable work. Have an amazing unforgettable adventure along the way!

$33.15

Pamela Fullgrabe

Wishing you both every success! What a wonderful thing you are doing to help such a worthy cause !! Well done both of you !!!

$33.15

Bernice

Jane speaks so highly of you George. Wishing you all the very best. Jane's friend Bernice

$33.15

Kathryn Trethewey

Best wishes and safe journey From Hannah T, Dragon BA friend of Lucy

$33.15

Carol Key

Had a lovely time in Orange Good luck with your trip If ever you are in Norfolk Uk on your adventures there’s always a room for you xx

$33.15

Jaye Donnelly

George I had absolutely no doubt you would be an amazing young man and brother. I’m so proud of you both your bloody amazing and can’t wait to see what you achieve in this precious one off life! I always a phone call away. Xx

$33.15

Charlie Anderson

$33.15

Stephanie Hyles

$33.15

Susie Wontner-smith

Congratulations! Amazing!

$25

Jack Jefferson

Best of luck Cousin Ed & George!!

$22.10

Alloway

$20

Will Haseler

Good luck Ed and George!

$15

Joe Dunworth

Hi Edward and gorgy

$11.65

Anonymous

$11.65

Freya