Call for funding from RACQ CQ Rescue
Australian air medical and rescue organisation RACQ CQ Rescue has launched its annual appeal for more funds
Australian air medical and rescue organisation RACQ CQ Rescue has launched its annual appeal for more funds, pointing out that 2018 looks set to be its busiest year ever, but that donations received so far have only reached 50 per cent of its target. The Mackay-based Bell 412 rescue helicopter has already completed 322 missions this year, an increase of 15 per cent on the same period last year.
“Our workload is increasing substantially every year but so too are our operational expenses,” said CEO Ian Rowan. “We are only partially government funded meaning there’s about $5 million each year we need to raise from this community in the form of donations, sponsorship and through events. Our funding model for the service requires significant community investment – without out it we just can’t be the lifeline residents, workers and visitors in Central Queensland deserve, so it’s absolutely imperative they show us their support.” he said. “The annual appeal is one of our major fundraisers each year and it’s certainly very concerning that we’ve such a large deficit now when both our missions and costs are mounting up.”