Graphic: Out and about with RFDS volunteers and supporters
During 2021/22, the Flying Doctor raised more than $12.9 million, $1.7 million of which came from fundraising in the community.
Over recent months, RFDS Auxillaries and Support Groups alongside our crews have been busy engaging with the local community to spread awareness and raise funds for the Flying Doctor.
Learn more about how our Ground Crew are going above and beyond to help keep the Flying Doctor flying.
It's showtime!
Exciting news! This September, the RFDS is back at the Royal Adelaide Show for the first time since 2018.
The RFDS display will be in the Jubilee Pavilion, and will feature our Simulator aircraft, behind-the-scenes videos and giveaways.
If you’re heading along to the Show, make sure you come and say g’day to our crew.
Out and about in the Top End
The RFDS team in Darwin has made the most out of the city’s dry season, getting involved with local events and activities to connect with the community and raise awareness about the Flying Doctor’s services.
In June, the RFDS supported the NT City 2 Surf Carnival in Darwin, followed by kicking off NAIDOC Week with the Deadly Cup Carnival.
To cap off the string of activities, our team spent the week at the Royal Darwin Show, where they were awarded Best Community Exhibit at the culmination of the event.
It was wonderful to have so many families come through the RFDS Flight Simulator to learn more about how we care for patients, and experience what it’s like to sit in the cockpit and be Flying Doctor crew.
Winning in Whyalla
The Whyalla RFDS Support Group joined the SA Country Footy Championships in July, held for the first time in the Steel City.
The group cooked up one of their signature barbecues, which over the last 12 months has helped them raise $50,000.
If you ever spend a weekend in Whyalla, you can find the Support Group outside the local shopping centre, selling snags, freshly-baked cakes and jams to help raise funds and awareness for the Flying Doctor.
Support for cancer patients
For almost 15 years, the Tarpeena Cancer Support Group has been raising money for cancer organisations and local hospitals.
Recently the Group gifted a generous $5,000 donation to the Flying Doctor in appreciation of the RFDS’s support for local cancer patients in SA’s South East.
It was like-minded support from the community that enabled the Flying Doctor to build a Patient Transfer Facility in Mount Gambier, the first of its kind in regional South Australia. In the last 12 months, RFDS crews have landed 560 times in the Mount to respond to medical emergencies and provide the finest care to people in need of life-saving surgery or specialist care.
Riverland growing from the ground up
The RFDS Riverland Support Group recently accepted a $2,000 donation from the Riverland Field and Game Association.
All proceeds will go towards the construction of our new Patient Transfer Facility at Renmark Airport, which is set to begin this year.
Find out more about our new Riverland facility and what it means for the region.
Cellar door’s lavish contribution
For seven months, the family-owned Balnaves of Coonawarra has been banking their cellar door tasting fees to provide to the Flying Doctor.
By the end of June, they raised a total of $15,000.
"This service is very close to our hearts here at Balnaves with many family, friends and even staff having to use this incredible service. Particularly at the beginning of the year when my daughter Ellie was airlifted,” Business Manager, Kirsty Balnaves said.
Despite COVID-19 restrictions, many of our Support Groups celebrated record fundraising years, which is simply incredible.
Are you part of an event, club or group that's interested in fundraising this year? Learn more about how you can help keep the Flying Doctor flying.
