As the region’s own intensive care unit in the sky, RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopters come to the aid of hundreds of patients each year.
While the service is provided at no cost to those it helps, it is supported by government, generous partners and the community.
Operating in often-challenging environments where on-the-ground medical treatment can be 100km or more away, RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopters, Air Ambulance jets and medical staff have helped more than 81,000 people over four decades.
The fleet of nine community helicopters allows LifeFlight to land at the scene of traumatic incidents, such as on highways or hovering over mountainsides, to help those who may be in difficult-to-reach locations.
Its crews deliver 24/7 rapid-response critical care, from responding to motor vehicle accidents and patient retrievals from ships at sea to neo-natal and cardiac hospital transfers.
The LifeFlight Lottery gives the community the chance to give back to the cause, and win $35,000 worth of prizes.
Every dollar raised through LifeFlight Lotteries goes back to the service, to help save the lives of more than 7300 people each year.
LifeFlight Foundation head Kerry Clifford said community support was greatly appreciated and went a long way to ensuing the service is available to those who need it.
“Community has always been at the heart of what LifeFlight does – and we truly appreciate the support we receive,” Ms Clifford said.
“LifeFlight Lotteries are another way for people to support the work of LifeFlight in the community – while also having the chance to win a great prize.
“We do receive generous funding from the Queensland Government and limited funds from our supporter base, including our lotteries buyers, but as a world-class aeromedical provider we always have our eye to the future, as we search for new and improved ways to meet the needs of Queensland’s growing population.”
Last financial year, the Sunshine Coast-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter crew came to the aid of 481 people.
Serving the Sunshine Coast region and beyond, crews spent more than 744 hours flying in those 12 months.
The most common reason for the Sunshine Coast crew to be tasked directly to an emergency scene was to attend serious motor vehicle incidents, with 77 incidents requiring urgent aeromedical response across the year.
The next most common reasons for callouts were cardiac/chest pain (68 missions), medical/illness (41 missions), neurological (39 missions) and falls (32 missions).
“You never know when the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue choppers may come to the aid of you or someone you love,” Ms Clifford said.
“We have heard so many stories from patients and their families that have said without our service the outcome may have been very different, or they may not be here today.
“You can’t put a price on saving a life.”
LifeFlight Lotteries always has a draw running, with a different prize value each time.
The next LifeFlight Lottery will be drawn on December 20. The prize includes a $12,000 grocery voucher, $5000 fuel voucher, $10, 000 prepaid Mastercard or Visa card and $8000 spending money, or the winner can choose to take $35,000 in cash or gold.
Tickets are $5 each. To purchase tickets, visit lifeflightlotteries.com.au.
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