Dr Andrew Kornberg successfully touched down on 25 July at Essendon Fields Airport after soaring 51 hours across Australia in his solo mission, Fly for the Kids.
Associate Professor Andrew Kornberg, Senior Neurologist at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), has officially raised $2,014,204 to support treatments for kids with rare and complex conditions.
Taking off from Moorabbin Airport on 2 July, Kornberg piloted his plane across the country, stopping in remote and regional towns, revisiting former patients and spreading a message of hope to families and communities. His mission is to raise funds to help the RCH deliver life-changing treatments that offer new hope to children who once had none.
“Every day presents a challenge for so many of these children and their families,” said Kornberg. “This flight was my way of doing everything I could to bring them hope and a brighter future. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved so far.”
In true hero fashion, Kornberg survived on a rigorous coffee routine: two before takeoff, one for the landing stretch and another to celebrate touchdown, a caffeine commitment that may or may not have caused a national coffee shortage.
Highlights from the skies included 51.3 hours of flying, a caffeine-fuelled journey with at least 150 coffees consumed and a custom AJK soundtrack played only after each day’s flying with no repeats allowed. The best barramundi of the trip was found at the Carpentaria Grill in Borroloola, and the most unforgettable stop was the tiny, iconic Forrest Airport: a moment etched in memory forever.
But beyond the stats and stories lies the real impact: one in three children with a rare disease won’t live to see their fifth birthday. The funds raised by Kornberg’s journey will help change that, supporting gene therapy and other advanced treatments that are giving kids a second chance at life. These therapies reduce hospital stays, help children reach milestones once deemed impossible and, in some cases, even offer a cure.
This isn’t the first time Kornberg has taken on this unique challenge. In 2017, he flew 16,000km in just 25 days to raise awareness for children with complex neurological conditions. This year’s journey went even further – showcasing the real-life impact of advanced therapy by reconnecting with former patients and witnessing firsthand how far they’ve come.
The RCH Foundation has partnered with the Live Life Foundation, long-time supporters of the RCH Neurology Department, to bring Fly for the Kids to life. Together, they are working to transform paediatric healthcare, turning cutting-edge treatments into everyday realities for children across Victoria and Australia.
The journey may be over, but the mission continues. Visit the Fly for the Kids website to learn more, donate or fundraise.
Read also: Doctor to fly solo across Australia to improve child health outcomes
Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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