Tyler Perry: Billionaire, friend of Harry & Meghan donates thousands to RFDS WA thanks to Andrew Herzfeld

A Hollywood movie mogul — and close friend of Prince Harry and Meghan — has donated thousands of dollars to WA’s Royal Flying Doctor Service after seeing a Perth man’s remarkable replica of their live-saving plane. Billionaire Tyler Perry, who offered his LA mansion to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after they stepped back from royal duties and is their daughter Lilibet’s godfather — made a $25,000 donation after coming across the replica RFDS plane built by Darlington’s Andrew Herzfeld. Mr Herzfeld built the model aeroplane — a third of the size of the real RFDS Rio Tinto Lifeflight PC-24 jet — while battling cancer. The model is the largest of its kind in the world and features a flight function — capable of reaching 350km/h — navigational lighting, and LED screens in the cockpit. Perry, an avid aeromodeller with his own miniature airfield at his plush estate in Atlanta, Georgia, was taken by Mr Herzfeld’s creation and donated the cash to show his appreciation. “You are an inspiration to the entire world,” Perry, whose movies have grossed more than $600 million and who also starred in the hit film Gone Girl, posted online about Mr Herzfeld. “I’m wishing you all the best. I’ve made a $25,000 donation to the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Western Australia in your name Andrew Herzfeld. God bless you, you’re in my prayers.” Mr Herzfeld said he was “absolutely over the moon”. “My head is still spinning,” he said. “It’s an honour to have my skills recognised by a great man with the same passion in aeromodelling that I have.” Mr Herzfeld said his passion was a “great escape” from the rigours of chemotherapy and surgeries. He is battling liver and bladder cancer after being diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in 2006. Having spent many years living in the regions, Mr Herzfeld said the RFDS held a special place in his heart. The organisation recently saved his friend’s life after they had a medical episode while travelling across the Nullarbor. “It’s great to be able to build this model and give back to the community,” he said. The replica plane’s first flight will take off from Wagin Airfield next year. RFDS WA chief executive Judith Barker thanked Perry for his donation. “While going through his own health challenges, Andrew spent his time building the replica with a vision to fundraise for RFDS, and so to receive such a generous donation immediately is very humbling,” she said. “It’s not often we get donations from the other side of the world, but it does seem to capture people’s hearts when they hear about the service RFDS WA provides in the largest and most remote health jurisdiction in the world.” The RFDS said the funds will go towards purchasing aeromedical equipment for the fleet of 22 aircraft and training for specialist staff. Perry is a good friend of Harry and Meghan. In their Netflix documentary, he explained how the couple asked him to be Lilibet’s godfather after he famously offered his mansion to the couple, who had lost their royal security. “They were pretty serious on the phone,” he recalled. “I go, ‘OK, what’s going on?’ And they said, ‘Well, we’d like you to be Lili’s godfather.’ I go, ‘Whoah.’ I had to take a minute to take that in. And I thought, ‘I’d be honoured. I’d be absolutely honoured.’”