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A surprise six-figure donation from a Naracoorte business has secured a flying start to the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s fundraising efforts in 2021.
PPHS, Australia’s leading independent livestock agency joined forces with a number of its South-East clients over the past 18 months to raise an incredible $103,616.29 for the Flying Doctor.
PPHS chief executive Robin Steen (pictured with RFDS Fundraising Manager Anthea Rice) said the fundraising idea involved 111 steers.
The cattle were looked after free-of-charge by PPHS clients around Lucindale, Naracoorte, Penola, Frances and Pinnaroo. When each steer was sold, the profit was donated to the Flying Doctor.
“Last year turned out to be a very good year to put the cattle out because they are a lot cheaper than they werenow,” Mr Steen told the Naracoorte News.
“As people got them fat, we sold them and we just held the funds until we came up with the end result.”
The Royal Flying Doctor Service airlifts 15 South Australians every day – including two people every day from the South-East.
“PPHS has been a great supporter over the years, but this donation was indeed a surprise, and could not have come at a better time for us,” RFDS Executive General Manager, Marketing & Stakeholder Relations Charlie Paterson said.
“Understandably, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it extremely hard for our regular fundraisers and volunteers in the community to raise funds on our behalf – the funds we need for the ongoing replacement of our aircraft, medical equipment and patient-centred projects such as the RFDS Mount Gambier Patient Transfer Facility.
“Congratulations to the PPHS team for creating and funding the concept and thank you to all their clients who got behind PPHS and supported the project – it will make a difference.”
