CapRescue has again received a vital boost to its Central Queensland operations through Rockhampton Regional Council.
Council is waiving CapRescue's landing fees for the last 12 months, amounting to more than $51,000 in support to continue the rescue helicopter's work throughout the Region.
Mayor Tony Williams said the work of CapRescue is crucial for residents within Central Queensland, particularly in areas where patients require immediate help.
"To break it down, $51,729.19 represents roughly 520 rescues in 2023, which is 100 more rescues than the year before," Mayor Williams said.
"While inter-hospital transfers are the most requests carried out by this service, some of those rescues include times when someone has needed immediate medical assistance in an emergency, often in rural and remote areas.
"Council prioritises supporting CapRescue because we understand the need for it within our community as most of us would know of someone who has required the service or perhaps we ourselves have needed it.
"You can't put a price on saving a loved one's life but we can help with waiving the landing fees so CapRescue can focus their resources on helping our community."
CapRescue covers an area of 350,000km2, which is the equivalent to the size of Germany, and averages more than 40 rescues per month.
CapRescue Executive Director Mark Fewtrell expressed gratitude to the Rockhampton Regional Council, emphasising the impact the donation has on its operations.
"In 2024, the demand for our lifesaving services has grown and the need for our presence in Central Queensland is critical," Mr Fewtrell said.
"The support of the Council through the ongoing reimbursement of airport landing fees is vital in enabling our operations to continue.
"Together we can continue our commitment to the safety of the communities we serve."
As a past patient of CapRescue, 58-year-old Kev Mauger said he breathes a sigh of relief every time he hears the rescue chopper overhead, knowing the patient in need is in good hands with the CapRescue team.
"Without CapRescue, I wouldn't be here today," he said.
Mr Mauger required the helicopter service following a bad motorbike accident 3km from Thangool in February 2019 which left him in a coma on the side of the road.
"I was on a Sunday afternoon ride with a mate and I fell off," Mr Mauger said.
"I don't remember anything from that day, I woke up about five days later in the hospital.
"I am a firm believer I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for CapRescue."
Mr Mauger recently met the pilot who was flying the helicopter the day of his accident who said it was a miracle that Mr Mauger survived that accident, as he wasn't expecting him to recover.
"I owe my life to them, I even wrote a song called Sky Angels for them and played it at their fundraising ball last year," Mr Mauger said.
"The doctors told me I wouldn't walk again but I beat all the odds and pulled through by sheer determination.
"I even started back at my job on 19 July 2022."
Five years on since his accident, Mr Mauger has a new appreciation for life and encourages everyone he speaks to about his accident to donate towards the life-saving work of CapRescue.
