In February 2020, Bundaberg resident Sarah Campbell went into spontaneous labour at just 24 weeks into her pregnancy.
Had it not been for the efforts of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS), who flew Sarah from Bundaberg to Brisbane, her little girl Ella may not have survived.
Today, as part of a competition held by RFDS Principal Partner, Ergon Energy Retail, Mrs Campbell was granted the opportunity to visit the Bundaberg Base to meet the Flying Doctor crew who help ensure the survival of thousands of patients every year.
RFDS (Queensland Section) Bundaberg Nurse Manager Robyn Langton thanked Ergon Energy Retail for reuniting Mrs Campbell with base staff.
“Earlier this year, Ergon Energy Retail held a competition to offer customers the chance to win an exclusive tour of one of the Flying Doctor’s eight aeromedical bases in Queensland,” she said.
“With more than 450 entries across the state, it must have been difficult to choose just three tour recipients, but I couldn’t be happier with our local winner.”
“Providing emergency healthcare for those in need is part of the job, but it gives us great pleasure to meet former patients, like Sarah and Ella, and see them doing so well.”
Mrs Campbell, who was joined by her husband Kevin and daughter Ella, said she honestly didn’t expect to win the base tour competition.
“I just wanted to write in and say thank you as I hadn’t had the chance. We were able to thank the hospital staff but the RFDS crew did their job and continued on their way,” she said.
“We were very lucky and that was because we had the opportunity to access specialist care in Brisbane. So we are very grateful to the RFDS.”
Ergon Energy Retail Executive General Manager Ayesha Razzaq said it was wonderful to learn about Sarah and Ella’s story.
“This story really demonstrates the positive impact our partnership with the RFDS is having on our customers and communities,” she said.
“I cannot thank our customers and staff enough for their generosity. It can be as little as $2, but it is so crucial in keeping the doctor flying."
Ergon Energy Retail customers and staff have raised more than $16 million for the RFDS (Queensland Section) over the past 21 years.
