This festive season, Ambulance Victoria (AV) is celebrating an Orbost local who expressed his gratitude for the care he received from paramedics by donating an astonishing $80,000 to the organisation over two years.
Christopher King was inspired to donate to AV after a heart attack a few years ago saw him transported to hospital twice by local advanced life support (ALS) paramedic crews and airlifted to Melbourne for further treatment.
After witnessing firsthand the care, compassion and clinical excellence displayed by the paramedics who responded to his case, Chris wanted to give back and in 2023 decided to donate an astounding $40,000 to Air Ambulance Victoria (AAV).
“The air ambulance team do a great job transporting regional patients like me to the Melbourne hospitals, so I wanted to do something to help keep the planes running,” he said.
“Living in Orbost, we are four hours away from Melbourne by car, but the crews had me loaded into the plane and at The Austin Hospital in under two hours which
was exceptional.”
AAV consists of five helicopters and four planes that help connect patients across the state with
health services, ensuring everyone receives quick access to necessary medical care.
AAV’s highly-skilled flight crew, including mobile intensive care ambulance (MICA) flight and ALS paramedics, undergo rigorous training and are equipped to retrieve patients from the most remote
and hard-to-reach locations anywhere in the state, including by land and sea.
But Chris’ generosity didn’t stop there, with his appreciation for local paramedics prompting him to make another $40,000 donation, this time to the Orbost ambulance branch to support the work of local ALS paramedics and Ambulance Community Officers (ACOs).
“The local Orbost crews not only helped me when I needed it, but I also saw how they cared for my mother, and each time they arrived they were nothing but professional and compassionate,” he said.
“Every local paramedic and First Responder I have met is lovely and it felt like the right choice to show my thanks by supporting the work they do.”
In addition to what is already provided by AV, donations allow communities like Orbost to provide local crews with specialised equipment, resources and advanced training, supporting staff to continue delivering high quality clinical care.
AV Acting Orbost team manager Nathan Looby said words couldn’t express their thanks for such a large donation.
“To know that a member of the community was so touched by the care they received
from our crews that they have made such a significant donation is one of the best feelings,” he said.
“Each day our paramedics and ACOs go out in the community and help people who are sometimes experiencing their worst day. It can be easy to forget the impact you have on the lives of those people, but cases like this really bring it all back into perspective.”
AAV air operations manager Brad Martin agreed that Chris’ donation will certainly have a lifesaving impact.
“Each year, AAV provides medical treatment to approximately 6000 patients, many of them like Chris, and transports them to appropriate medical facilities,” he said.
“Donations such as Chris’ allow us to invest even further in upgrading our equipment and resources, which helps us continue to provide the highest level of care, safety and comfort for patients and our flight paramedics.”
Donations to AV greater than $2 are fully tax deductible and represent a community investment in Victoria’s future pre-hospital emergency health care.
Public donations help AV go beyond government funding to deliver the best possible care for every Victorian.
“I know every little bit helps and I really wanted to help the organisation that was there for me when I needed it the most,” Chris said.
“I probably wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for their help.”
Anyone in a position to give this festive season can donate to AV via their website.
