By Raquel Mustillo
A GROUP of volunteers with an average age of 80 have helped continue to keep the Royal Flying Doctor Service stay in the air by raising more than $27,000 over the past year.
Despite the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Millicent and District Royal Flying Doctor Support Group has continued to raise the significant funding amount with the support of the Millicent community.
Millicent and District Royal Flying Doctor Support Group secretary Max Blacketer said although the organisation was unable to host its traditional events, volunteers were pleased with the 12-month fundraising drive.
“It has been a bad couple of years for us because of COVID because we haven’t been able to do our quiz night which is very popular,” Mr Blacketer said.
“But people have been very generous in Millicent and we are grateful for the money we have raised.
“We’ve got 40 donation tins all around the town and from that we raised $7370.
“This year we received $8934 in donations and $5000 of that was from Mac Ford.
“All the volunteers pay subs of $10 which brought in $726 and then the raffles totalled $10,708.”
Mr Blacketer said the group had around 15 active members who worked to raise funds and awareness for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
“I would say only four of the members are under 80,” he said.
“We all know someone who has used the Royal Flying Doctor Service, or have used it ourselves, and we know the benefits of it and how important it is.
“All of us oldies are getting on and we would like to have some new people who are energetic and prepared to bring new ideas to the group to join up.
“We only have the meetings six times a year and one is a social meeting and a good chance to meet new people.”
Mr Blacketer encouraged interested individuals to attend the groups next meeting on October 5 at Millicent’s Uniting Church Hall at 1.30pm.
Contact Mr Blacketer for more information on 0417 334 855.
