Father John Fowles, from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Thurgoona, plans to raise funds and awareness for the plight of neighbouring East Timor in a circumnavigation of Australia.

“East Timor is so near to us and yet so far from our minds,” Father Fowles said.

Merimbula’s Mitch Boyle, 16, will join the formation, aiming to become the youngest pilot to circumnavigate the nation solo.

Country music singer Korey Livy will accompany the group singing Earths Angels Care, a song specially penned for the fly-a-thon.

The group will stop at major cities and towns along the way before reaching Sydney at the end of the month.

“This is a goodwill flight leading us into World Youth Day, preparing people’s hearts and minds, and opening their hearts to being generous to those who are really needy,” Father Fowles said.

“We’re going out on the wing of a prayer.

“We don’t know what lies ahead but we’ll rise to meet the challenge.”