Family of five to fly around the world in support of SOS Children’s Villages
We are thrilled to announce that the Porter family, based in British Columbia, Canada, will be embarking on a unique around-the-world flight expedition in support of SOS Children’s Villages.
The family of five will travel together in a single-engine aircraft around the world, stopping in more than 50 countries during the 14-month expedition. To ensure their adventure also has meaning they will be raising $1 million to support SOS Children’s Villages’ work with vulnerable children and families around the world.
The Porter family team consists of parents Ian and Michelle, and their three children Samantha, Sydney, and Christopher, who are all experienced travelers and adventurers. They have travelled extensively as a family and their children have also developed a love for flying thanks in part to their father’s passion and extensive aviation experience.
Sisters Samantha and Sydney started flying together in British Columbia and received their pilot licenses and completed a cross-Canada flight together. Christopher, the youngest family member, has also taken a keen interest in flying and is in the process of obtaining his pilot license.
“Flying a single engine airplane around the world is in-itself a huge undertaking,” said Ian Porter. “While it’s not clear exactly how many RTW flights have been completed by single-engine aircraft, the number is only a few hundred since the dawn of flight. Far more people have successfully summited Mt. Everest than have flown a single engine aircraft around the world.”
While the process and logistics of flying around the world in a single-engine aircraft is quite the feat, for the Porter family, it was important that this adventure also have an educational and charitable purpose.
“We decided we needed to have a bigger purpose for this trip,” said Michelle Porter. “This round-the-world expedition is all about family and it made sense that we also help other families in the process. The important work that SOS Children’s Villages does to strengthen families and support vulnerable children was the perfect fit for what our family was hoping to accomplish.”
SOS Children’s Villages is excited to be partnering with the Porter family to help invest in a better future for young people and raise awareness of the challenges faced by children and families who lack access to their basic rights like education, health care, economic empowerment, and other supports vital to strong communities.
The family of five will be departing from Vancouver in June 2022, visiting SOS programs, and touching down countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and North and South America. The exact locations will evolve and will be shared in the coming months and as the expedition is underway.
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SOS Canada is actively working with the Porter family to secure corporate sponsorships for this one-of-a-kind adventure. For businesses interested in getting involved please connect with us at [email protected] to further explore.