The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Townsville Base has switched gears today - welcoming half a dozen members of the Freedom Riders Association, who handed over a $20,200 cheque to the organisation.
The money was raised on the Freedom Riders’ annual ride from Kurrimine Beach to Karumba, which each year brings together around 60 motorcyclists from Townsville and beyond in support of the Flying Doctor.
The journey from Queensland’s east coast to the Gulf of Carpentaria takes more than eight hours and crosses some of the state’s most unexplored stretches of road.
This year’s fundraiser has delivered the club’s biggest donation yet. This brings the Freedom Riders’ total contribution to the RFDS (Queensland Section) to $64,400 over more than five years of riding for the Flying Doctor.
RFDS Townsville Base Gail Hills, Base Support Manager, said the Freedom Riders’ ongoing support meant a great deal to the local staff and, more importantly, to the patients across regional, rural and remote Queensland who receive care.
“The Freedom Riders have become part of the RFDS family here in Townsville. Every year they come back to support us and they out do themselves,” Hills said.
“Their ride takes them from the coast right out to the Gulf, through the same kind of country our crews cover every day. They understand better than most how far people can be from help, and why it matters that the Flying Doctor is there.
We are very appreciative of the support the Freedom Riders give us every year and their ongoing dedication to the Flying Doctor and the people we serve.
“We’re committed to care no matter the distance, because where someone lives should never dictate the care they receive. Support like this helps us make sure every Queenslander stays within reach of care.”
Last financial year, the RFDS (Queensland Section) provided more than 81,263 occasions of care across Queensland, transferring more than 2,346 patients from our Townsville Base.
The $20,200 raised by the Freedom Riders will support the Flying Doctor in ensuring that every Queenslander remains in reach of care.
Freedom Riders President, Mick Langrope said the club was proud to keep the tradition going.
“When you spend as much time exploring Queensland’s outback roads as we do, you really start to appreciate what the Flying Doctor means to people out there,” Langrope said.
“Every rider who joins us on the Kurrimine Beach to Karumba run is doing it for the RFDS, and to hand over $20,200 this year is something the whole club can be proud of.
“We’ll be back on the bikes next year to do it all again.”
RFDS (Queensland Section) is grateful to receive the support of the community to help keep the Flying Doctor flying.
