WHEN Tash and Steve Williams decided to put the lockdown to good use and get fit enough to run the from their home in Glencoe to Mount Gambier, little did they realise how they would benefit the community as well as their personal fitness.
A family friend and member of the Mount Gambier RFDS Support Group Bob Johnson suggested they turn the event into a fundraiser for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
He organised publicity, collection cans, coverage on Facebook to support the appeal and the support vehicle for the run.
The couple – who accepted the challenge – took off on their run in late May and arrived to a welcoming crowd.
Mount Gambier Support Group president Bill Russon described the initiative as a stunning success.
“It was a wonderful effort by two people who turned their fitness goal into an event that will benefit the whole South East community, with the money raised to go directly to the Patient Transfer Facility at the Mount Gambier Regional Airport,” Mr Russon said.
That facility is about to become a reality, with its public opening being deferred with the rules surrounding COVID-19.
But the facility will be in use by RFDS planes flying into the region next week.
The team raised more than $4000, which Mr Russon described as an amazing effort by two individuals and displayed the true community support for the Flying Doctor.
He thanked both Tash and Steve and their support in Bob Johnson, whose promoting and coordinating of the event was an outstanding effort.
