Giving back to the service that helped save her son’s life, by helping save more Queensland lives, was a no brainer for LifeFlight volunteer Charmaine Vlietstra.
In 2020, her adult son suffered a serious medical event and had to be urgently airlifted from Toowoomba to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.
“I can’t put into words how grateful I am, it’s a parent’s worst nightmare when you’re at work and you get a call saying your son is very unwell and he’s about to be airlifted,” Charmaine said.
His condition was so serious, she said the aeromedical crew had to perform emergency care during the flight, to keep him alive.
“If they hadn’t been able to do that midair, he may not be here today,” she said.
“Doctors prepared us for the worst but he made it through, and LifeFlight was instrumental in that, by getting him to the higher level of medical care that he needed, as quickly as possible.”
Fast forward to late 2021 and Charmaine – now retired – was on the hunt for a rewarding way to be involved in the community, when she heard an RACQ LifeFlight Rescue representative speak at an event.
“As soon as she started to talk, I whispered to my husband ‘I’m going to be a LifeFlight volunteer!’”
Since then, Charmaine has been a friendly face behind the counter at both Christmas and Mother’s Day gift wrapping stalls, raising funds for RACQ LifeFlight Rescue – and in turn, helping save more lives.
“It’s very rewarding work, LifeFlight did so much for us and this is my way of being able to give back a little.”
Charmaine is one of around 150 local legends LifeFlight is acknowledging for their hard work, this National Volunteer Week (16-22 May).
“Volunteers donating their time are critical for fundraising – it’s a priceless gift that helps save lives,” LifeFlight Foundation’s General Manager of Fundraising Kerry Clifford said.
“We are so thankful for our volunteers and truly value the support each and every one of them provides, through their unique skillsets,” she said.
The network of RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopters perform more than 2000 missions a year, bringing advanced medical care to Queenslanders in their darkest hours.
But it wouldn’t be possible without the support of the communities they serve.
“We have strong support from the Queensland Government, as well as our sponsors such as RACQ, but LifeFlight also relies on support from the community.”
Volunteers play important roles in fundraising and community awareness, such as event support, fundraising administration, donation tin collectors and ambassadors who present to community groups.
The structured LifeFlight program aims to match the unique skills of each volunteer with their areas of interest.
Volunteers put their skills to use in areas such as Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Kingaroy, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay.
“Not only is it rewarding to raise money for a worthy cause that helps so many Queenslanders, it’s wonderful to be meeting different people along the way,” Charmaine said.
LifeFlight is always on the lookout for more volunteers, to help the aeromedical crews, help Queenslanders.
For those interested in giving back to the community, while using their skills in a new way, head to: https://www.lifeflight.org.au/community/volunteer/
Current vacancies include:
o Tin collectors – Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Warwick, Dalby, Roma, Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Kingaroy, Gympie, Kilcoy
o Event Volunteers – Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Warwick, Dalby, Roma, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Kingaroy, Gympie, Kilcoy, Sunshine Coast
o Fundraising Admin – Bundaberg, Gold Coast
o Presenters – Warwick, Dalby, Roma, Toowoomba, Hervey Bay
