Aidan Curtis
HAWKINS Clinic Pinehall is continuing its support for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) after donating proceeds from its annual fundraiser for the fifth time.
Over the last five years, Hawkins doctor and avid photographer Mike Bruorton has put together a calendar each year featuring photos of his travels in Africa.
With the help of the staff at Hawkins, Dr Bruorton has raised thousands of dollars for RFDS through calendar sales.
This year, Hawkins raised $2385.80 for the RFDS, which Dr Bruorton said was the least they could do for the service.
“It is an amazing service and we really appreciate it as doctors,” he said.
“I think people don’t actually know how many flights they do down here; they do between 600 and 700, that’s two or three a day.
“Each year, we make good money for them, a couple of thousand dollars a year.”
Dr Bruorton said while he does the photography, credit for the fundraiser’s success every year goes to the Hawkins staff.
“It’s not just me, it’s a clinic initiative, it’s the clinic staff that make the adverts for the calendars, sell them every year, and make sure money comes in,” he said.
Royal Flying Doctor Service Mount Gambier Support Group president Bill Russon said the local-led initiative was “wonderful” and he very much appreciated all the work that went into it.
“They have been very generous through the donation from the fundraising from Mike’s calendars for some years now,” Mr Russon said.
“He does everything he can to support the flying doctors, which we really appreciate.
“These sort of donations are the lifeblood of our fundraising in the Mount Gambier region, and in Australia generally.”
