The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) has taken delivery of some timely, and extremely precious, cargo thanks to Carlton & United Breweries.

More than 1000, 500ml bottles of hand sanitiser have been donated by CUB, with the product to be distributed to RFDS frontline workers and aeromedical bases across Queensland as they continue to provide vital healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The donation is part of an initiative by Carlton & United Breweries to give at least 30,000 litres of hand sanitiser to those who need it most, including doctors and nurses, in the fight against COVID-19.

The sanitiser will take off on RFDS flights travelling throughout regional Queensland and be distributed widely through its nine operational bases.

CUB CEO Peter Filipovic said it is critical that RFDS staff are kept safe from the virus.

“CUB has a long history of supporting the community in times of need,” he said. “So when we heard they needed sanitiser we arranged this donation to help ensure they continue their vital work on the frontline.

“It’s times like this when the whole community should come together and support each other. And providing sanitiser is a practical way for us to lend a hand.

Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) CEO Meredith Staib said the organisation was more than happy to get on board with the initiative as, like a lot of medical services, they too had struggled to secure larger quantities of hand sanitiser

“We have had some issues with supply so this will be a welcome boost to our stocks,” she said.

“We’ll be able to distribute the sanitiser to our bases across the state to frontline clinical staff who will be able to use it on aircraft and at operational bases.

“The RFDS employs more than 400 people in Queensland from pilots, to doctors, nurses and other health professionals. We operate 20 aircraft from nine operational bases located in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Charleville, Mount Isa, Longreach and Roma, so you can be sure this donation will be well used throughout the state.”

CUB is producing the hand sanitiser in partnership with leading hygiene company Ecolab.

For more information, journalists should contact reid.sexton@cub.com.au