Cardell was airlifted by the Toowoomba-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter after he was involved in a horrific dirt bike accident last September.
The father of two pledged to give back to LifeFlight, organising a day of family-friendly activities to help raise money for the LifeFlight Foundation.
Revelers were treated to pig racing, a car crash rescue simulation by Queensland Fire Emergency Services (QFES) and the opportunity to dunk local community members in LifeFlight’s first fundraising ‘dunk tank’.
Live music performances, a jumping castle, raffles and food stalls also entertained the crowd of more than 1000 Kingaroy and South Burnett locals who travelled far-and-wide to join in on the celebrations.
As the face of LifeFlight’s Spring Appeal, Cardell has shared his remarkable tale of survival to help inspire others to support the vital community rescue helicopter service which saved his life and reunited him with his family.
Local community members banded together in true South Burnett style and by lunchtime had helped Cardell raise more than $10,000 for the LifeFlight Foundation.
The LifeFlight Foundation, a community-based organisation which supports the iconic RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter service, relies on passionate Queenslanders to help keep their aircraft in the air and saving lives.
For Cardell, seeing the event come together and raise so much money is a tribute to his local community and their willingness to always dig deep for a good cause.
“It was great to see so many community members, local personalities and businesses come out in support of the Kingaroy Family Fun Day to help raise money for LifeFlight. Of course, this day would not have been possible without our major sponsors – CrowFM, Stanwell and Bill Hull Car Centre,” he said.
“As someone who has been personally rescued by this service, I know without LifeFlight, I would not be here today to kiss my wife and hug my two children.
“In our vast and remote South Burnett region, it is imperative we have a service such as LifeFlight which can arrive at the scene of farm, traffic and sporting accidents quickly. The time saved by airlifting patients in a helicopter can truly be the difference between life and death.
“The Kingaroy Family Fun Day was a chance to give back to those who save our lives every day,” he said.
Six pig races kept the crowds entertained throughout the day and LifeFlight’s first fundraising dunk tank saw South Burnett Councilors Ros Heist and Danita Potter, principals of local Kingaroy schools and four brave police officers go under water.
Community Engagement Officer for the South-West, Nikki Bloom said the event will make a real difference to the lives of all Queenslanders, particularly those in regional communities who are separated from hospitals by large distances.
“As a charity, LifeFlight relies on the support of the dedicated communities we serve to help raise money for our vital service,” she said.
“Cardell has put in a phenomenal effort to bring the Family Fun Day together and has helped not only raise money for the LifeFlight Foundation, but also raise awareness of the importance of our service by openly sharing his story of survival.
“Thank you to everyone who came out in support of Lifeflight and Cardell. The generous philanthropy of the South Burnett community continues to amaze us. With their continued support we can ensure our helicopters and air ambulance jets are there for anyone, anywhere and at any time,” she said.
More than 1042 airlifts were performed in the Wide Bay-Burnett region last financial year. There was 303 missions flown in the South Burnett; 302 along the Fraser Coast; 138 in the North Burnett; 141 in the Bundaberg region; and 120 in Gympie.
2016-17 was a record year for LifeFlight for lifesaving missions with its aeromedical crews, community helicopters and Air Ambulance jets performing a record 5,342 missions throughout Queensland and around the world.
LifeFlight is a community-based charity funded and supported by the LifeFlight Foundation
To support the LifeFlight Foundation visit: www.lifeflightfoundation.org.au