The RFDS is calling on the community to ‘dig deep’ to keep the Flying Doctor landing at eight times a day in the Northern Territory.

“Over 2700 residents of – and visitors to – the NT are airlifted every year to Alice Springs, Royal Darwin or interstate to Royal Adelaide Hospital for life-saving surgery or specialist treatment,” says Charlie Paterson, general manager Marketing & PR for RFDS Central Operations.

“A RFDS aircraft and medical crew will land at least once a day at Tennant Creek, and at least once a week in other key centres such as Yuendumu, Uluru, Papunya, and Ali Curung,” Mr Paterson says.

“As we celebrate 90 years of saving lives this May, we are calling on the community to get behind their ‘Flying Doctor’ by making a donation to the RFDS 90th Anniversary Appeal – to ensure we can keep our crews in the air for the people of the Northern Territory and beyond,” Mr Paterson says.

“Donations can be made in the collection tins of our hard-working volunteers on their local RFDS Badge Day, or by returning the distinctive RFDS envelope arriving in letterboxes in early May. Telephone and online are always welcome.”

Latest figures reveal RFDS crews performed over 2700 missions in the NT in 2017. RFDS landings included the following locations:

“The RFDS is still needed 24/7 for members of the community in their time of need, but it cannot continue to save lives without the on-going support of the community to keep its crews in the sky,” Mr Paterson says.

“The RFDS relies on bequests and donations to meet the shortfall in its operational funding and to finance the replacement of its ‘flying intensive care units’ – at a cost of $7 million each.”

Donations to the RFDS can be made by calling 1800 813 318 or visiting www.flyingdoctor.org.au/sant/donate