Hundreds of Sunshine Coast residents frocked up and dug deep, to celebrate the impact of the local RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter service, while raising vital funds to help keep the chopper flying.
The LifeFlight Sunshine Coast Gala presented by Aaction Traffic returned with a bang, after a hiatus due to COVID-19 last year, with 480 guests turning out to support the aeromedical service last night. (Sat 1st April)
The ball raised more than $250,000 thanks to the generosity of incredible supporters and sponsors.
In the crowd was past patient Sonja Macfarlane, who is celebrating ten years since she was rescued from the Glass House Mountains, after falling 40 metres while hiking.
Sonja sustained multiple serious injuries, including to her face and head and had to be winched from the side of the mountain.
“They’ve got your back, for whatever adventure you choose to go on, RACQ LifeFlight Rescue have got your back,” Sonja said.
It was an emotional milestone for Sonja and her friends who witnessed her horrific accident, as they thanked the service for saving her life.
“I’m not a doctor, but it was amazing to watch the teamwork, they stabilised her and took her up to the helicopter and flew away, and then we found out that she had to be revived three times in the helicopter before she even got to the hospital, so they are just angels in the sky,” Sonja’s friend Chantelle Minter said.
Sonja is still suffering from the extent of her injuries, but with an inspirational attitude and strong will she continues to live an eventful life, with a passion for sailing and Bocce.
Her support of the service ten year on was also a meaningful milestone for the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue aircrew officer who was on her airlift, Dan King, who dropped into the event to surprise Sonja. He was moved to see her doing so well and said her rescue is one of the most memorable he has ever been involved in.
“A million times thank you, and for being so quick at responding because I understood it was fairly vital for me, I was in really bad shape,” Sonja said.
Other past patients, including two yachties rescued off Inskip Point last year after their boat capsized, shared their emotional stories with guests, further inspiring attendees to donate.
Several other RACQ LifeFlight Rescue crew members were able to take a break from their aeromedical duties to join in the celebrations and give guests an insight into the incredible work the crews undertake.
“It’s really important that we have these events and raise awareness that we do need the support of the community, we might be the ones out there doing the job but if we don’t have that support and raise money from fantastic companies and individuals, then we wouldn’t be able to do what we do,” Aircrew Officer Rick Harvey said.
The community showed their generosity and appreciation of the service throughout the night, participating in auctions, a pledge and a major raffle for a high value diamond.
In 2022, the Sunshine Coast RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter crew helped 448 people, which cost approximately $11.2 million – at no cost to the patients.
Fundraising events such as the Gala ball are essential to making that possible.
“Without community support we just aren’t able to do everything that we do, LifeFlight picks up anybody, anywhere, anytime for free, so to do that it becomes an expensive operation to run but with the community support we get it enables us to deliver the service that we deliver,” LifeFlight Foundation Chair Stewart Morland said.
Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Hon. Yvette D’Ath MP also addressed the crowd and acknowledged the integral role the service plays in the state’s Emergency Helicopter Network (EHN) every time a LifeFlight helicopter is tasked by Retrieval Services Queensland.
A service agreement with the Queensland Government, the sponsorship of RACQ and innovative profit-for-purpose social enterprises all contribute to pay for this vital service, however, RACQ LifeFlight Rescue relies on the community to help make up a significant funding shortfall each year.
LifeFlight thanks the event sponsors who helped make the night a success: Aaction Traffic, Travis Schultz and Partners, Spire Law, SPM Law, Bentleys, Hutchinson Builders, Circa Rooftop, Novotel Hotels & Resorts, Bird in Hand, Your Mates Brewing Co. and Sunshine & Sons.
