Ann steps up again for RFDS as she prepares for 222km walk

Narrogin’s face of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Ann McLeish is preparing to set off on a fundraising walk from Narrogin to Newdegate. Since 2008, Ms McLeish has dedicated her time to fundraising for the RFDS, the iconic Australian service which aims to provide a “mantle of safety” for those living, working and travelling across the State. The 75-year-old has since raised more than $193,000. “My aim this year was to raise $200,000 but COVID-19 put a stop to most people’s dreams,” she said. “With all field days and sporting events cancelled and no one allowed to travel, my aim to reach my goal became a lot harder.” Ms McLeish, a 2011 Spirit of the West Award winner for her commitment to the RFDS, has been a regular fixture at rural community events across the Great Southern, Wheatbelt and Esperance regions. She started fundraising with Junior Red Cross at the age of eight and has been involved with dozens of charities since. The pandemic derailed her plans this year, but she has found a way to get them back on track. “At this year’s Woolorama, Dean Sinclair from Varley approached me and said he would start off with $100 to sponsor me to walk to the Newdegate Field Day,” Ms McLeish said. “When this was cancelled, I rang Dean, offering to still walk as the RFDS have transported so many COVID-19 patients as an extra burden for them. Dean said he would donate another $100 when I got there.” Ms McLeish will leave on August 27 for the 222km trip walking through Wagin, Dumbleyung, Kukerin and Lake Grace before arriving in Newdegate on September 4. Police will escort her through Dumbleyung and during the last leg from Lake Grace to Newdegate with school children joining her for part of the walk. Ms McLeish has previously completed walks from Narrogin to Perth and Narrogin to Albany but she said this one might be the hardest yet due to elevated terrain. She started collecting for the RFDS after her brother was injured in a hockey match in Busselton and he had to be flown to Perth for treatment. Not long afterwards, her son was flown to Perth for an operation. “Just in my family alone, my brother, my son and my granddaughter have had to use the RFDS,” Ms McLeish said. A member of the Lions Club for 27 years, Ms McLeish also knits clothing for premature babies at the King Edward Memorial Hospital. RFDS Western Operations chief executive Rebecca Tomkinson said volunteers and community advocates like Ann McLeish were the lifeblood of the Flying Doctor. “Ann is a tireless advocate for our essential service,” Ms Tomkinson said. “Her passion for our service knows no bounds and continues to inspire and motivate us in our mission to ensure all who live, work and travel across WA have access to essential healthcare. “On behalf of our crews and patients across the State, we send our best wishes to Ann and wish her a safe journey. “We will be following her progress closely.” Since July last year, the Flying Doctor in WA retrieved 672 patients from the Wheatbelt region, 98 per cent of who required transfer to Perth for further specialist care. The RFDS also provided immunisations, health screenings, chronic disease management and general medical check-ups at clinics held across the Wheatbelt region.