RFDS flying high with Elders Insurance pledge

Elders Insurance has donated $20,000 to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Central Operations to support delivery of primary and emergency health care services throughout rural and remote communities.  

Elders Insurance General Manager Peter Mackereth said Elders Insurance was pleased to provide support to an organisation that makes a difference to the lives of its customers, team members and the broader community.

“We’re proud supporters of the RFDS and, as an insurer with roots firmly entrenched in the rural landscape, we wholeheartedly share its commitment to rural and regional Australia and passion for the health and wellbeing of people in its communities.

“You don’t have to look far to find someone who has been helped by a flying doctor – this donation will give much needed support to the RFDS and the vital health services it provides.

“This not only includes the emergency medical care the RFDS provides, but critical mental health care, which is particularly important as Australians endure challenging conditions across many parts of the country’s rural and remote regions.”

Tony Vaughan, CEO RFDS Central Operations said support provided by community-minded organisations like Elders Insurance and Elders Rural Services was vital to RFDS’ ongoing operations.

“The RFDS relies on community support and partnerships with organisations like Elders to bridge the gap in its operational funding and to purchase its ‘flying intensive care units’ at a cost of more than $7 million each.

“We’re thrilled to accept this generous donation from Elders Insurance that will help us continue to save lives in rural and remote Australia.”

The pledged funds include donations from local Elders Insurance agents as well as the QBE Foundation, the charitable arm of QBE Insurance, of which Elders Insurance is partly owned.

Elders Insurance provides ongoing support to RFDS through donations and fundraising activities while Elders Rural Services has partnered with RFDS Central Operations since 2017 as a major sponsor of RFDS’ medically-equipped aircraft VH-FXW - ‘Whiskey’.