“They’ve got your back, for whatever adventure you choose to go on.”
Those were the touching words of Sonja Macfarlane, who was a special guest at the LifeFlight Sunshine Coast Gala on Saturday night, which raised more than $250,000 thanks to the generosity of supporters and sponsors.
It is 10 years since Ms Macfarlane was rescued from the Glass House Mountains by the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter service, after falling 40 metres while hiking.
She sustained multiple serious injuries, including to her face and head, and had to be winched from the side of the mountain.
It was an emotional night for Sonja and her friends who witnessed her horrific accident, as they thanked the service for saving her life.
“I’m not a doctor but it was amazing to watch the teamwork,” Sonja’s friend Chantelle Minter said.
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“They stabilised her and took her up to the helicopter and flew away, and then we found out that she had to be revived three times in the helicopter before she even got to the hospital, so they are just angels in the sky.”
Sonja is still suffering from the extent of her injuries, but with an inspirational attitude and strong will she continues to live an eventful life, with a passion for sailing and bocce.
Her support of the service 10 years on was also a meaningful milestone for the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue aircrew officer who was on her airlift, Dan King.
He dropped into the event to surprise Sonja and was moved to see her doing so well, saying her rescue was one of the most memorable he had ever been involved in.
“A million times thank you, and for being so quick at responding because I understood it was fairly vital for me – I was in really bad shape,” Ms Macfarlane said.
Four hundred and eighty guests frocked up and dug deep for the gala, which was presented by Aaction Traffic. It was put on hiatus due to COVID last year.
Other past patients, including two yachties rescued off Inskip Point last year after their boat capsized, also shared their emotional stories with guests.
Several other RACQ LifeFlight Rescue crew members were able to take a break from their aeromedical duties to join in the celebrations and give guests an insight into the incredible work the crews undertake.
“It’s really important that we have these events and raise awareness that we do need the support of the community,” aircrew officer Rick Harvey said.
“We might be the ones out there doing the job but if we don’t have that support and raise money from fantastic companies and individuals, then we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”
Guests participated in auctions, a pledge and a raffle for a high-value diamond.
In 2022, the Sunshine Coast RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter crew helped 448 people, which cost about $11.2 million – at no cost to the patients.
“Without community support we just aren’t able to do everything that we do,” LifeFlight Foundation chair Stewart Morland said.
“LifeFlight picks up anybody, anywhere, anytime for free, so to do that it becomes an expensive operation to run but with the community support we get it enables us to deliver the service that we deliver.”
Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath also addressed the crowd and acknowledged the integral role the service plays in the state’s Emergency Helicopter Network.
Other sponsors included Travis Schultz and Partners, Spire Law, SPM Law, Bentleys, Hutchinson Builders, Circa Rooftop, Novotel Hotels and Resorts, Bird in Hand, Your Mates Brewing Co and Sunshine & Sons.
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