Flying Doctor Service banner.
Picture: SANDRA MORELLO
THE Royal Flying Doctor Service has put out a mayday call for more volunteers to help its regionally-based fundraising efforts.
Raising more than $775,000 since its inception in 1997, the RFDS Mount Gambier Support Group needs like-minded community members to support its work.
The aeromedical service lands every day in Mount Gambier providing lifesaving patient evacuations to metropolitan hospitals.
RFDS Mount Gambier Support Group president Bill Russon said the organisation raised funds throughout the year with its golf day, badge day, major raffle and barbecues.
“Our members join for a range of reasons, but we all have one thing in common – a passion for giving back to our community,” Mr Russon said.
“We’re a welcoming, friendly group and we encourage those who are interested in finding out more to come along to our annual general meeting on Wednesday, May 8, at 7.30pm, to learn about opportunities to get involved.”
Committee positions will be available for interested people.
“The Flying Doctor provides a vital service to all Australians – including those here in our own backyard,” Mr Russon said.
RFDS central operations chief executive officer Tony Vaughan ASM said more than 900 people every year were airlifted from the South East to a major Adelaide hospital for life-saving surgery or specialist treatment.”
“Our crews land every day in Mount Gambier and at least once a week in key regional centres including Bordertown, Coonawarra, Keith, Kingston, Millicent and Naracoorte,” Mr Vaughan said.
RFDS Central Operations has been in existence since 1939 and is a key player in the delivery of 24/7 emergency aero-medical and essential primary health care services to people living, working and travelling in rural and remote South and Central Australia.
While the RFDS receives support from commonwealth, state and territory governments, it relies on fundraising and donations to bridge the gap in operational funding and to finance its capital-raising program for replacement aircraft, medical equipment and other major capital initiatives.
The Mount Gambier RFDS Support Group meets on the second Wednesday of the month at the Masonic Centre Helen Street at 7.30pm.
Contact Mr Russon on 0418 555 362 for more details or simply come along to a meeting.
