Kelsian embarks on Royal Flying Doctor Service partnership
Tuesday 01 October 2024
With an ongoing mission to connect people and places, Kelsian has announced its support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), as presenting partner for the Oceans to Outback Challenge.
This partnership, established through a three-year agreement, reflects a shared commitment to improving the lives of those we serve, according to Kelsian Group Managing Director, Clint Feuerherdt.
“The iconic work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service is world renowned, as they deploy lifesaving and life-changing medical services and transport to rural, remote and regional communities across Australia’s vast and challenging landscape.
“The partnership between Kelsian and the Royal Flying Doctor Service showcases our mutual commitment to local communities, and supporting this remarkable service and fundraising challenge aligns with our community values,” he said.
Mr Feuerherdt said the partnership is a meaningful way for Kelsian to give back to communities while fostering a healthy workplace and raising awareness and encouraging participation in the fitness challenge.
Oceans to Outback is a month-long fitness and fundraising challenge where participants can sign up to get fit, raise funds and help the RFDS deliver lifesaving care across Australia.
“While we connect people to places for different reasons, we are two Australian organisations that are driven to make sure we support the communities we serve,” he said.
Mr Feuerherdt added that Oceans to Outback is more than a fundraiser, with hopes of inspiring over 25,000 Australians to get involved.
“With nearly 9,000 team members across our Transit Systems and SeaLink Marine & Tourism companies, this is an opportunity for each of us to get active and unite as a team in the workplace and our local neighbourhoods.
“The challenge is simple: walk, run, or cycle throughout October, tracking your progress via a fitness app or manually and help RFDS to break the goal of raising over $5M.”
According to RFDS, every two minutes, someone relies on the service for essential or emergency medical care.
RFDS Federation Executive Director Frank Quinlan said the challenge is not only about improving your own fitness but also ensuring that RFDS can keep delivering healthcare where it's needed most.
“The RFDS goes beyond emergencies. We offer GP and nurse clinics, dental services, mental health support, and patient transfers, ensuring communities stay healthy and connected,” he said.
Over the past two years, Oceans to Outback has attracted over 21,000 participants and raised over $4.8M. Mr Feuerherdt said the goal this year is to break through the $5,000,000 milestone.
“We are providing free entry and shirts to our teams across Australia and challenge them to join the fundraising efforts with their family, friends and community so that together we can help RFDS raise over $5M this October,” he said.
The Oceans to Outback challenge officially begins on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Registrations are open now at oceanstooutback.org.au, where participants can sign up and track their progress.