When Yerra cattle producer Ken Ellis thinks back to when he became trapped under 5500 gallon poly tank in December 2017, he has no doubt that if it weren't for RACQ LifeFlight, he wouldn't be around to tell the tale.
So it made it an easy decision to do his part to raise some funds for them the best way he knew how- through the Gympie Saleyards.
Mr Ellis teamed up with his brothers Laurie and Maurice Ellis and neighbour Rod Seymour, all based on cattle properties at Yerra, west of Maryborough.
Between them they put together three steers and a heifer to auction off on Monday, with the total sale price of $4796 going straight to RACQ Lifeflight.
The steers were bought by Wide Bay Feedlot for $3.05/kg, while the heifer was sold for $1476 to JBS Australia.
Mr Ellis said he really wanted to give back to RACQ Lifeflight after he saw firsthand the work they do.
"They saved my life," he said.
"At one point people thought I wouldn't ever walk again.
"You never know when you or some one you know will need Lifeflight.
"They do a marvellous job... I probably wouldn't be here if it weren't for them."
On December 9, 2017 Mr Ellis was getting a tank to delivered to his property and while unloading ended up crushed under its full weight. The truck driver managed to slightly lift the tank and Mr Ellis dragged himself out, badly injured and fighting for his life.
His injuries included multiple pelvic breaks, three broken vertebra, a broken collar bone and shoulder blade, a punctured lung, burst bladder and five broken ribs.
When the ambulance arrived from Maryborough, the paramedic determined he needed urgent surgery in Brisbane and the RACQ Lifeflight helicopter was called out from Maroochydore, with two paramedics on board.
Upon arrival, it took another two and half hours to stabilise Mr Ellis enough to fly him to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, where he underwent surgeries, spending five days in an induced coma and another five days in the intensive care unit.
After 24 days at RBWH he was transferred to the Eden Rehabilitation Hospital at Cooroy to learn to walk again.
Mr Ellis said he would think about doing another fundraiser again for the organisation next year.
RACQ LifeFlight fundraising coordinator for the north coast region Mandy Hentschel said they were very grateful for Mr Ellis' support.
"We rely heavily on third party events to make up a funding shortfall," she said.
"These funds will go directly back into our helicopters so we can continue saving lives."