May 18, 2023
The Kingaroy Men’s Shed’s 2023 Dinner Under The Stars raised more than $10,600 for the LifeFlight Foundation.
A cheque for $10,632.21 was handed over to LifeFlight community engagement and activities co-ordinator Alisha Clarkson during a small ceremony at the Kingaroy RSL Club on Thursday afternoon.
The Men’s Shed volunteers invited sponsors of the fundraiser to attend the event as a “thank you” for their support.
President Eric Ford said the Dinner Under The Stars had raised more than last year.
He said the club members had been inspired by their visit to the LifeFlight base last year to have another go at hosting a dinner, and despite last-minute changes due to the weather, it had been a great success.
Eric thanked the Kingaroy and District Vintage Machinery Club for making their shed available, and for the students from Kingaroy State High School who had served up the meals.
The Men’s Shed volunteers were now planning to host another dinner next year, hopefully under a clear and starry sky.
KSHS principal David Thomson said the dinner had been a great opportunity for his students to become involved in a community event.
“It is such a great lesson for our people to serve the community,” he said.
The students also raised $700 for LifeFlight which was included in the donation.
Men’s Shed spokesman Ralph Clark said he would also like to make a huge thank you to the community for their support of the event, and to Amos and the musicians who had donated their time on the night.
“I was blown away with support we got,” he said.
Alisha thanked the Kingaroy Men’s Shed for their “amazing” effort, and presented the group with a LifeFlight Bear.
She said there were 261 LifeFlight trips into Kingaroy / South Burnett region during the past year.
“The LifeFlight crews wouldn’t be able to do it without you,” she said.
- Related article: LifeFlight Gala Takes Off Despite Rain
