Essendon’s Flight Plan fundraising initiative for the club’s new facility at Melbourne Airport is approaching the $500,000 mark, with the official donations barometer hitting $485,737 this week.

A total of 1855 donors have contributed to the project since the Flight Plan was launched in August this year. 

Essendon chairman David Evans said he was pleased with the fundraising effort so far.

“On behalf of everyone at the club, I’d like to say thank you for the incredible generosity and support we have received from our members and supporters in 2011,” Evans said.

“We are extremely grateful to have received so many donations towards the project and let’s hope we can reach $500,000 before Christmas.”

The club is expecting to commence works at the Melbourne Airport site in mid January next year and aims to have the ovals built in time for the start of the 2013 pre-season.

Click here to find out more about the Flight Plan and how to donate.