RFDS donation tally reaches new heights

Rfds Committee  TBW Newsgroup
COMMUNITY SPIRIT: Jonathan Bruhn, Jessie Clements, Joyleen Gregory, representing MGA Insurance Brokers, present a $20,000 donation to Royal Flying Doctor Service Mount Gambier Support Group patient facility fundraising sub-group members David Douglas, Ann Saunders, Ian Berry, Cheryl Berry and Jon Conti.

Rfds Committee  TBW Newsgroup
COMMUNITY SPIRIT: Jonathan Bruhn, Jessie Clements, Joyleen Gregory, representing MGA Insurance Brokers, present a $20,000 donation to Royal Flying Doctor Service Mount Gambier Support Group patient facility fundraising sub-group members David Douglas, Ann Saunders, Ian Berry, Cheryl Berry and Jon Conti.

THE donation tally for the Royal Flying Doctor Service $500,000 patient transfer facility at Mount Gambier Regional Airport is continuing to climb thanks to community generosity.

Since the prominent campaign was launched in October, nearly $150,000 in cash donations have already flowed to the project.

Thousands of dollars in in-kind support have also been pledged from across the community, including regional trades, businesses and local government.

The landmark project will facilitate the transfer of patients from the ambulance to the aeromedical retrieval aircraft inside the new facility, which is being established in a converted hanger.

Under current arrangements, patients – often in a critical condition and needing lifesaving treatment – are transferred into retrieval aircraft on the tarmac in all weather conditions.

RFDS Mount Gambier Support Group representative Jon Conti – a member of the group’s patient transfer facility fundraising sub-committee – said he was buoyed by the donations flowing from the community
and business sector.

Given the importance of the project, he said the fundraising campaign was continuing to attract strong community support.

“Since we announced the patient transfer facility, we have had a huge response from the community,” Mr Conti said.

“It is great to see people digging deep into their pockets to support the RFDS support group in Mount Gambier.”

He said the RFDS was the “lifeblood of the region” and helped people during medical emergencies.

“These community donations are really important and will go far,” Mr Conti said.

RFDS spokesperson Charlie Paterson said the response from the community was “humbling”.

“To date, the RFDS Mount Gambier Support Group and South East residents have raised close to $150,000,” Mr Paterson said.

“Construction work on the hangar starts early in the new year and we have received multiple offers of support from local businesses and trades to help with the redevelopment.”

Jonathan Bruhn And Jon Conti  TBW Newsgroup
FUND TALLY SOARS: Royal Flying Doctor Service Mount Gambier Support Group representative Jon Conti thanks Jonathan Bruhn, from MGA Insurance Brokers, for donating funds to the patient transfer facility fundraising campaign. Pictures: SANDRA MORELLO

While the community had already donated close to half of the project costs, the RFDS would continue to direct local donations received to this project well into the new year.

“RFDS crews land twice a day somewhere in the South East – and at least once a day at Mount Gambier Airport – to airlift residents and tourists to one of Adelaide’s major hospitals for life-saving care or specialist medical treatment,” Mr Paterson said.

“The facility will set a new standard of care provided by the RFDS and its service-delivery partners at regional aerodromes in South Australia.”

He said in-kind support from local trades and businesses had already exceeded $20,000.

Mr Paterson said Grant District Council was also providing upfront in-kind support for capital works and utilities/services connection, which had a value of $20,000.

MGA Insurance Brokers is the latest regional business to donate to the facility’s community campaign.

Handing over a $20,000 donation to the RFDS Mount Gambier Support Group yesterday, spokesperson Jonathan Bruhn said the company was thrilled to support the project.

“MGA/Whittles have been a long-time supporter of the RFDS through sponsorship of the Wings for Life ball held yearly in Adelaide and directly into various regional projects,” Mr Bruhn said.

“MGA has also sponsored the Mount Gambier RFDS Support Group Golf Day since its inception.”

He said the new patient transfer facility project was a great step forward in professionalism.

“It is a wonderful asset for Mount Gambier and the wider South East community, allowing for greater care and support for hundreds of people who use the facility every year,” Mr Bruhn said.

“The MGA/Whittles Group is proud of its involvement with the RFDS.”

Meanwhile, the Mount Gambier Masonic Lodge #35 has also donated $1000 to the project.

“The Lodge members had decided the RFDS was a worthy cause, given that all current donations will go towards the patient transfer facility,” Lodge secretary Ian Berry said.

Mount Gambier RFDS Support Group president Bill Russon thanked Mount Gambier Masonic Lodge for its support.

“Local organisations, businesses, service groups and individuals have been most supportive of the facility, both in financial and in-kind donations,” Mr Russon said.

He also thanked Glenburnie’s Lois Harvey for holding an garden open day, which raised more than $4000 for the project.

Donations can be made directly to the RFDS Mount Gambier Support Group or by calling 1800 813 318 or visiting flyingdoctor.org.au/sant/donations