IT has been described by the Reader’s Digest Society as Australia’s most trusted charity but people in remote Australia see the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) more as the most trustworthy form of lifesaving medical assistance available to them.

But apart from being partially funded by the Federal Government, the RFDS relies heavily on the generosity of everyday Australians for aircraft maintenance and to upgrade medical equipment.

To this end, the RFDS (Queensland) conduct the Spirit of Queensland Awards program (SOQA) to raise the much needed funds.

The Awards are designed to attract people from a diversity of backgrounds across Queensland, who have a caring and compassionate nature and are motivated to meet the challenge.

Entrants coordinate their own activities and events within their respective communities to raise funds and each November these compassionate and community minded individuals are awarded for their efforts.

The caring nature of these individuals who give up so much of their time and put so much effort into raising funds is typified by the 2006 SOQA winner, Leanne Pullen, Mackay, when she said at the awards:

“To think I have been rewarded with such an honour for doing something I am so passionate about. I am so proud to know that I am raising funds and awareness of such a unique Australian icon."

While the RFDS may have had difficulty in attracting entrants to the Spirit of Queensland program this year, those who have put up their hands are of quality stuff and include Sandra Brown, Mackay, Ruth Dodd, Townsville and Denise Brooks, Longreach.

Sandra is taking up the challenge for the third year and has raised almost $90,000 already and hopes to add another $20-30,000 to this great total.

She is 55 years old and said she just loves raising money for a great Australian icon like the RFDS.

Ruth Dodds is dedication personified. Ruth has a stall at the entrance of the Townsville Base Hospital and is there daylight until dark. Ruth was born in Kalgoolie, WA and has lived in Townsville since 1975.

She has five adult children and two grand-children.

Denise Brooks hails from Longreach and has come up with a most novel way of raising funds.

Denise air-brushes toe nails. Each Saturday at the local Scouts hall she has a line up of people who want the ultimate in toe nail design.

But apart from this and the raffles she runs, Denise is a professional entertainer in the duo Brooks and McGee and entertains at the Woolshed Restaurant and Bar in Longreach five nights a week.

Denise said she has found the patrons there generous when it comes to donating to the RFDS.

*For more information visit: www.flyingdoctor.org.au/index.cfm?MenuID=26