For Angela Nightingale and her family, giving back to LifeFlight runs in the blood.
It’s why she decided to return to volunteering when her son, Dr Daniel Ballantine, joined the aeromedical organisation at the Bundaberg base as a retrieval registrar.
When he first started working at the base in 2024, he would talk to his mum about the dynamic nature of aeromedical missions he was tasked to.
“I used to volunteer for Royal Flying Doctors Service before Covid, and hearing Dan talk about LifeFlight inspired me to get back into it,” Angela said.
“For me, helping the wider community through volunteering is just one part of an ethos I believe in.
“It teaches you new skills, it increases confidence and shapes your character. It nurtures empathy and gives our region a sense of identity of who we are and what we value.
“Having raised my family in regional areas, you realise just how vast Queensland is, so you certainly need services like LifeFlight out there.”
Dr Ballantine said his mum had always been supportive.
“I’ve always been grateful for her support,” he said.
“I’m very proud of her for volunteering at LifeFlight, and it’s great to have another family member at LifeFlight helping the community.”
Angela, who works in aged care as a support worker, said the mere mention of LifeFlight is enough to spark a story from a community member.
“When I’m talking to people, they either know somebody who LifeFlight has helped or they’ve seen the helicopter,” she said.
“I also have a friend who was airlifted by LifeFlight to Brisbane after she had a brain aneurysm, and she couldn’t praise the service enough.
“By rallying my support around LifeFlight at the events I attend, I’m proud to lend an extra pair of hands to the cause.”
She said the aeromedical organisation brought out her son’s best attributes.
“He’s always had a gregarious nature and always strived to be the best at whatever he has chosen to do.
“He’s conscientious, hardworking, focused and community minded. Dan could not be happier than being part of LifeFlight as a critical care doctor.
“It’s his dream job.”
It’s National Volunteer’s week and more than 200 people donate their time to LifeFlight across events, fundraising initiatives and galas. It includes the highly dedicated Regional Advisory Committees who donate their time and resources to support LifeFlight in their local community.
LifeFlight Chief of Communications and Foundation Michelle Pillonel said the level of support from local communities was a testament to the generosity of Queenslanders.
“Our incredible volunteers help us strengthen our connection to the communities we serve. Their commitment to donating their time highlights the generosity of rural and regional communities, and they help us to keep that connection strong,” she said.
“Our Regional Advisory Committees are all volunteers and local leaders in their region. They give us insights into how we can continue to build on our connection with communities and best serve them.
“We’re grateful to have such dedicated volunteers like Angela around us supporting LifeFlight.”
