BHP announced a $2M contribution to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Western Operations (RFDS) to support their ‘Response Ready for WA’ appeal.

The Appeal aims to ensure RFDS is able to invest in the resources, infrastructure and people it will require to meet the needs of remote and regional Western Australia during this unprecedented time and well into the future.

Since 2004 BHP has proudly supported RFDS, one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world. Using the latest in aviation, medical and communications technology, RFDS deliver extensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency services to those who live, work and travel throughout Australia. It’s a service our regional and remote communities couldn’t do without.

Our most recent contribution will assist RFDS to manage increased activity in retrievals in 2020, which are already being experienced. Activity resulting from COVID-19 cases is expected to place an unparalleled demand on their service.

Rebecca Tomkinson, CEO RFDS Western Operations said “we have been a trusted health care partner in Western Australia for more than 90 years. We are there to help a mate when they need us the most - and that time is now, in the coming weeks and the many months ahead.”

“As a not for profit charity, providing an essential and life-saving service, we literally rely on the generosity of our funders to keep us in the air and we look forward to other Western Australian organisations contributing to the fund,” Ms Tomkinson said.

“We are incredibly grateful for the critical support from BHP which will assist us towards bolstering our service for the surge capacity we will need to respond across the regions.” Click here to watch the team at RFDS say thanks.

Our contribution was made through BHP’s newly established Vital Resources Fund (VRF), which was established to support regional Australian communities facing significant challenges as a result of COVID-19.

Tim Day, Acting Asset President, Western Australia Iron Ore said of our contribution “BHP is committed to supporting the communities in which we operate, and beyond. This contribution to the RDFS is part of our $50 million Vital Resources Fund, which has been established to provide support to regional Western Australia during this difficult time. We will continue to look for ways for BHP to support regional communities as we work through this challenge together.”

In addition to providing immediate relief, the VRF will work with partners to support longer term projects aimed at strengthening communities, to address impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the longer term impacts of the crisis become clearer, the VRF will seek to fund larger scale, longer term projects designed to specifically address this impact.