Meritorious to the end: Vale Jan Kenner

Jan, who passed away in October, was a much-loved office volunteer at the RFDS Adelaide Base, turning her hand at a range of jobs to support the organisation’s key fundraising arm.

Jan’s pathway to volunteering with the RFDS began more than a decade ago, in 2014, following what can only be described as her own life-changing experience with the RFDS.

As a double lung transplant recipient, she was airlifted by the RFDS from Adelaide to Sydney in May 2012.

“I really felt like it would be too much for me and that I would be so anxious that I’d be struggling even more than I was already, but the flight was just wonderful,” Jan was quoted saying in 2014.

“I thought I’d be a cot case, but Karyn (Flight Nurse) was beautiful and Adam (Pilot) was also in complete control. They were just so calming.

“It was such a big thing to get me over to Sydney. If I didn’t have that opportunity with the RFDS, I wouldn’t have got there and I wouldn’t be here now.”

Jan was inspired by the assistance she received from the RFDS to become a regular volunteer.

“I want to do any little thing that I can to help. It will never repay what was done for me, but any little thing that I can help with, I am happy to do.”

RFDS Volunteer Fundraising Specialist Lindy Allchurch described the RFDS Meritorious Service Award as the organisation’s highest volunteering honour.

The Award was presented to Jan’s son Chad and daughter-in-law Heidi at a special event at the RFDS Adelaide Base.

“When a volunteer is being nominated, they have to fulfill some pretty strict criteria relating to willingness to help others, supporting RFDS values, and representing the RFDS to a high standard – Jan passed with flying colours in everything,” Lindy said.

“Since volunteering with us, Jan was assisting up to twice weekly – coming into the office whenever we asked her to help with tallying donations, fundraising events and so much more.

“Jan loved the RFDS and we hope she knows how much we cherished her support.”