Flight beyond the blue

– Marc McGowan
IT IS one thing to shout something from the rooftops, but another to do it from the skies.
That is exactly what Cranbourne’s Jerry Farsoun will be doing when he begins his Australia-wide campaign to raise awareness of depression in March.
Mr Farsoun, 38, suffered from the debilitating disease for several years before contacting self-help organisation beyondblue.
Now recovered, he has planned a solo aerochute voyage around the country to encourage fellow sufferers to seek help.
“I’m hoping my story will inspire people to call someone – whether it’s beyondblue, Reach or the Sunrise Foundation,” he said.
“It’s hard to change your lifetime habits, but they can take you through the process of eliminating your problems and getting yourself back on track.
“A lot of people don’t make the call, but you need to.”
Mr Farsoun is aiming to take-off from Pakenham on Thursday 20 March and expects to visit 112 towns during his journey.
If he is able to complete the trip, he would be the first solo aerochuter to go around Australia.
Up to 40 aerochuters are expected to join him on the initial take-off – potentially another record-breaking feat.
The flight plan will be constructed over the next two weeks, but Mr Farsoun is prepared to spend as long as 18 months on the road to achieve his goal.
“I’ll be having a local raffle and I hope to raise around $500 for accommodation, food, petrol, and so on,” he said.
“If I’m grounded for a week because of bad weather, I’ll go milk cows or something like that and stick with the locals.”
The official launch will take place on Saturday 16 February at 7pm at the Exchange Hotel, which is located on the corner of Little Collins and King Streets.
For more information, visit http://www.overdownunder.com.au.