Fireys' big walk to help the Royal Flying Doctor Service fly further

This time next week members of the Deloraine Fire Brigade will be carb-loading ready to take part in the Royal Flying Doctor Service Oceans to Outback fundraiser, by walking from Deloraine to the RFDS Tasmania base at Western Junction.

Between now and then the team is hoping the Meander Valley and Northern Midlands community will jump online and add to its tally which is already over $11,000!

Donations can be made at Royal Flying Doctor Service - Deloraine Fire Brigade (oceanstooutback.org.au)

Aiming to be at the hangar at 8.30pm on Saturday, October 26, their rough itinerary along the way is: Westbury 8am, Carrick 10:15am, Hadspen 12 noon, Prospect 1.45pm, Launceston 3.45pm, Youngtown 6pm, Launceston Airport 8.30pm.

The 87km will be covered to more than reach the goal of 81km – which represents the number of aircraft covering Australia with emergency retrievals.

Oceans to Outback challenges supporters to walk, run or cycle 42km, 81 or 96km or a nominated distance and individuals or groups can still enter during October.

Upon arrival, and if the plane used for aeromedical retrievals is not tasked to a job, they will inspect the Beechcraft King Air aircraft which services Tasmania and makes more than 1000 flights per year.

The plane cost $10 million to build and another $2 million to modify for its special role taking paramedics to remote locations and transferring patients, often sick babies, between hospitals in Tasmania and interstate.

RFDS Tasmania is also well known and loved for the primary health care, such as mental health, physical health and dental care, which is provides for free to those who can’t physically or financially get to appointments in city areas.

The month-long fitness challenge aims to help the country’s most respected charity help more people access the care they need. 

Every year, the RFDS helps one person every two minutes.

If you see the fireys on their epic walk they would love some encouragement and support.