THE people of Central Western Queensland is set to benefit from a $40,000 donation from the Goondiwindi-based mental health awareness organisation Tie Up The Black Dog.
The money will be used to help fund a mental health clinical counselling position at the Royal Flying Doctor Service base in Longreach.
The funds were generated after a photograph showing the bridal party walking through a virtual wall of dust during the extreme drought at Blackall went viral on social media.
Professional photographer Edwina Robertson pledged to donate $3 for every time the picture was shared on FaceBook. Overnight the figure hit a stunning $15,000 and in 10 days following an additional $25,000 was raised, bringing the total to $40,000.
CLICK HERE to read about how a wedding uplifted drought stricken Blackall.
Organisers Mary Woods and Liz Wood were on hand in the RFDS’s Brisbane headquarters to hand over the $40,000 cheque over to chief executive officer Nino Di Marco on Monday.
“What is really special is that every cent of the $40,000 raised was completely publicly donated,” Mrs Woods said.
“There have been some bigger amounts donated but really most of it has been $50 and $100 donations.
“There was always the expectation that the funding raised would be used on the people of Central Western Queensland where the marvelous photograph was taken by Edwina Robertson.
“We are really pleased the Flying Doctor can put the funds to such an important use and help look after the mental health of the people of the central west.”
Mr Di Marco said a recruitment process was currently underway for the clinical counselling position in Longreach.
