RACQ CapRescue provides Central Queensland with a vital and lifesaving service. By operating the fastest and most efficient means of rapid deployment of medical and rescue teams, CapRescue delivers medical professionals 24/7 to major accidents, workplace incidents, inter-hospital transfers, natural disasters and search and rescue missions across Central Queensland.
CapRescue’s ability to continue operating a lifesaving service, free of charge to those we rescue, is an ongoing effort. With the ever-rising demand for the Service, so too does the operational costs associated, which are now projected at over $11 million annually.
While the service receives significant funding from the Queensland Government; we must raise 40% of our annual operating costs, which we do so via valuable corporate partnerships, local sponsors, community events and donations from the communities we service.
The continued financial support shown by our valued partners is tremendous, however, for some of our committed sponsors, this is just the beginning. These valued partnerships include BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA), who have continued to go above and beyond in their effort to demonstrate support for the service in various ways across the lifetime of the partnership, which spans over 20 years.
An initiative supported by BMA is their match-giving program where employees are encouraged to make tax-deductible donations through their salaries. BMA then matches every donation contributed, with every dollar going directly to the operating costs of our Rescue300 aircrafts and service. This support is in addition to BMA’s ongoing partnership.
During the RACQ CapRescue 2022 Annual Appeal, we featured the harrowing story of ex-patient, Damien Olsen, who suffered life-threatening injuries while spearfishing with friends off the Yeppoon coast in 2014.
Still to this day, Damien isn’t quite clear how it occurred; however, he does remember the vital role CapRescue played.
Damien had suffered extensive injuries when the speargun tore through his oesophagus, diaphragm, liver, and stomach. His friends made the 1km journey to Great Keppel Island, where two off-duty nurses were able to provide initial assistance while they anxiously awaited the arrival of the rescue helicopter and medical crew.
Following the recovery from his horrific incident, Damien joined the BMA workforce in Blackwater. Working for a company that prioritises the support of local community groups and the residents within was a resounding aspect to Damien.
He understood the significance of BMA’s contribution to CapRescue, and it was thanks to corporate partnerships like BMA’s with CapRescue that allowed the service to play the crucial role it did for Damien when he needed it most.
The generosity and continued growth of our valuable partnership with BMA is as vital to RACQ Capricorn Rescue as our service is to the communities in which we operate.