MEDIA RELEASE: Thursday 26 September
Up to Save Lives: Join the 2024 Oceans to Outback Challenge and Keep the Flying Doctor flying
Walk, Run, or Ride in October to Deliver Life-Saving Healthcare to Rural and Remote Aussies
After covering an incredible 1,275,685kms last year, Australians are being called to push even further in the third annual Oceans to Outback fitness challenge this October, raising vital funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). The month-long event encourages participants to walk, run, or cycle a set distance, ensuring the RFDS can continue delivering essential healthcare to some of the most isolated communities in the world.
More than just a fundraiser, Oceans to Outback is a lifeline for communities where local health services are scarce, and the RFDS plays an irreplaceable role. “If it wasn’t for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and their generous donors I wouldn’t be here today”, says Andrew, a patient from rural South Australia. From emergency medical retrievals to regular primary healthcare, the RFDS provides vital support, bridging the gap for over 100,000 Australians each year who would otherwise have little or no access to care.
“The RFDS is the connection between life and death for many living in rural and remote parts of Australia,” said RFDS Federation Executive Director Frank Quinlan. “Without our services, the health and wellbeing of these communities would be severely compromised. This challenge is not only about improving your own fitness but also ensuring that we can keep delivering healthcare where it's needed most.”
Participants can choose their own distance for the challenge or be inspired by RFDS milestones such as:
- 42km – 1 km for every 1,000 Australians who can't access basic healthcare.
- 96km – 1 km for every year the RFDS has Provided life-saving healthcare.
- 1,060km – 1 km for every patient helped by the RFDS each day.
“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,” Quinlan added. “This October, challenge yourself and know that you’re directly impacting people who rely on us as their only access to healthcare.”
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.
Oceans to Outback is proudly supported by presenting partner, Kelsian.
Kelsian connects people and places, while the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) connects people with vital healthcare. This partnership is built on a foundation of shared values, as both organisations strive to improve the lives of those they serve. Kelsian are the honoured Presenting Rights Partners of Oceans to Outback, inspiring individuals to stay active, lead healthier lifestyles, and contribute to the life-saving work of the RFDS.
As Australia’s largest integrated multi-modal transport provider and a leading tourism operator, Kelsian has established bus operations in Australia, Singapore, the USA, UK, and the Channel Islands. Our mission is to provide essential journeys through safe, innovative, and sustainable transport solutions, enhancing the liveability of the communities we serve.
Key Facts:
The Royal Flying Doctor Service has 81 aircraft that cover the length and breadth of Australia delivering aeromedical services.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service offers 24/7 aeromedical retrieval.
There are 23 Air Bases, and 68 clinics held every day.
2,370 medical chests are in remote and rural locations, supported by 24/7 telehealth services.
More than 50% of RFDS daily operations are dedicated to extensive primary healthcare services, including dental, mental health, and healthcare education.
Over the past two years, Oceans to Outback has attracted over 21,000 participants and raised over $4.8M.
Funds raised through Oceans to Outback ensure that the RFDS can be there for outback Australians. Whether it’s a life-threatening injury, an inter-hospital transfer, or to see a GP, dentist of mental health clinician, the Flying Doctor provides the finest standard of care to every Australian who needs us.
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 life-saving care across Australia. Back for a third year, Oceans to Outback is aiming to have over 25,000 Aussies participate in the challenge and raise over $5M for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
About us:
About the Royal Flying Doctor Service
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organizations in the world and has been delivering critical healthcare services across Australia since 1928. With 81 aircraft operating from 23 bases nationwide, the RFDS provides emergency medical retrievals, as well as regular GP, nurse, and dental clinics to some of the country’s most isolated regions.
Every year, the RFDS travels more than 28 million kilometres – that’s the equivalent of travelling to the moon and back 36 times – to reach over 370,000 Australians in need of care. From emergency evacuations to telehealth consultations and preventative healthcare, the RFDS ensures no Australian is left without access to vital health services, no matter how far they live from the nearest hospital.
The RFDS performs over 21,000 aeromedical evacuations annually and helps provide telehealth services to those living in areas where a GP visit could be hundreds of kilometres away. Without the RFDS, the health outcomes of rural and remote Australians would be drastically different, underscoring the vital role the organisation plays in the nation's healthcare system.
Contact details:
Glenda Wynyard, Media Precinct, 0410 736 785, gwynyard@mediaprecinct.com.au
Amisha Piplani, Media Precinct, 0482 058 675, apiplani@mediaprecinct.com.au
