Essendon Football Club would like to thank its members and supporters for helping the club's Flight Plan fundraising initiative for the club’s new facility at Melbourne Airport reach $500,000 before Christmas.

A total of 1956 donors have contributed to the project since the Flight Plan was launched in August this year. 

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.