The Royal Flying Doctor Service has once again landed some life-saving support from Rockhampton Regional Council.
Council is reimbursing all RFDS landing fees from the last 12 months, amounting to more than $143,000 in support, to help the service continue its important work throughout Central Queensland.
In the past year, the local Rockhampton Base Crew flew more than 1,486,730 kilometres, transported 2,679 patients and landed 3,691 times at the Rockhampton Airport, which Mayor Tony Williams said highlights the vital work of RFDS.
"I know of countless individuals who have called on the services of RFDS during a desperate time of need," Mayor Williams said.
"Council understands the importance of this not-for-profit organisation within our Region, so we are happy to help wherever we can which includes reimbursing $143,772.22 in landing fees.
"This year marks 29 years of Council support, and more than $1.6 million has been donated through reimbursed landing fees, fundraising efforts, and donations by Council staff.
"We hope to see the service continue its valuable work in the Central Queensland community for years to come."
RFDS (Queensland Section) Acting Executive General Manager Fundraising and Philanthropy Sebastien Krantz said Council's support makes a big difference to the organisation's ability to provide the finest care to the furthest corner.
"Rockhampton remains one of our busiest bases and the refunding of landing fees will allow us to continue to provide services in what is a rapidly growing region," Mr Krantz said.
"The support the RFDS (Queensland Section) has received over the years from Council has been incredibly important in allowing our frontline clinicians to make a positive difference in some of Queensland's most remote locations.
"I'd like to acknowledge the late Cr Neil Fisher for his significant support for our services as well as the ongoing support from the remaining councillors and in particular Mayor Tony Williams."
CQ Near and Far Auxiliary Treasurer Robin Broadhurst learned firsthand how important RFDS is when she required the service in 2013 when a health turn revealed a pending heart attack requiring immediate medical assistance.
"I had been sitting at work all afternoon but at the end of the day when I finished work and went to stand, I thought something doesn't feel right," Mrs Broadhurst said.
"I decided to go to the doctor despite the ECG coming back as fairly good and got a blood test which resulted in the doctor calling to say get to the hospital immediately.
"I was flown out and it wasn't until I got to Brisbane that further tests revealed I had a 99% blockage to the main artery in my heart."
Mrs Broadhurst considers herself very lucky to be alive today and is forever grateful for the medical staff that took care of her during her RFDS flight to Brisbane.
"The crew were constantly checking that everything was ok and letting me know updates," she said.
"I was completely on my own, without my friends or family, wondering what will happen next.
"It was so good to have someone there who I could talk to and who would keep me updated on what was going on."
Following surgery, Mrs Broadhurst made a full recovery and now devotes her time to giving back to the service that gave her another chance at life as treasurer of the CQ Near and Far Auxiliary.
"We strive to raise money that stays at our local base as I want to help keep them in the air and saving more lives," she said.
