A committee in Roma has proved that you don't need to hold an event to be able to raise money for charity.
After being forced to cancel its gala event two years in a row, the BESIX Watpac Mystery Charity Ball handed over a cheque for $35,000 to the Royal Flying Doctor Service at Roma on Wednesday.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Kayleen Hall said it was thanks to the generosity of their sponsors that they were able to make the donation despite calling off the event in both 2020 and again this year, thanks to COVID-19 restrictions.
She said none of the sponsors had wanted their money back, instead making it a donation to the cause.
"We sincerely hope it contributes to the longevity of this service to the Maranoa," she said. "Most of us have a story about using the service; they do a lot for the community and surrounds."
Roma-based RFDS Queensland section board member Bruce Scott said the belief in the service that the donation showed was really appreciated.
It has one aircraft but no aeromedical crew based at Roma, and is contracted to transport Queensland Health medical staff that provide specialist services in and around the region.
Patient transfers in the region are facilitated by RFDS Charleville crew, which Mr Scott said amounted to 413 in the Maranoa region in the last 12 months.
That was broken down as 341 from Roma, 37 from Mitchell, 23 from Injune, and 17 from Surat.
"That's more than one a day from this region," Mr Scott said.
He added that the airport at Roma was vital for the service, which operated at all hours of the day and night.
Mr Scott said the funds could support a variety of needs within the service, ranging from vital equipment to patient needs.
Ms Hall revealed the mystery location for the ball had been the Roma RFDS hangar.
She said the committee still intended to hold a ball at some stage in the future.
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Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
