What Would You Give To Save A Life?

Surf Life Saving Queensland is once again kicking off the annual fundraising campaign, Queensland Lifesavers Appeal, and they are putting up their hand to ask for help.

Over the next nine days, volunteer lifesavers will be asking people to dig deep in order to help them save a life this summer.

Volunteer lifesavers give their time and risk their own lives to keep beachgoers safe from Port Douglas in Far North Queensland to Rainbow Bay on the southern Gold Coast – but now they are the ones who need help!

Australians and international visitors love the beach, but they would probably be surprised to know the equipment required for just one patrol set-up is in excess of $80,000. And SLSQ has 58 of them patrolling the Queensland coastline to keep beachgoers safe.

Lifesaving patrols require many pieces of equipment, like inflatable rescue boats which cost approximately $13,000 each, a fully loaded first aid kit at $1,500, and several rescue boards costing $1,000 each and rescue tubes at $100 each. You can see how the cost to save life quickly adds up.

This equipment, and many other items, were vital in saving a life at Mooloolaba on 18 April 2022. Lifesavers pulled a motionless man from the shallows of the surf and used their training to treat the unconscious patient with a suspected spinal injury before paramedics arrived to assist.

Similarly, Metropolitan Caloundra lifesavers on patrol on 5 March 2022, relied on their training and an inflatable rescue boat to rescue six swimmers in distress who were swimming outside the patrol area in two to three metre dangerous surf. After lifesavers returned the patients to the beach, they treated them for exhaustion and shock until paramedics arrived.

These are just two of many examples where the heroic actions of highly trained lifesavers have enabled beachgoers to return home to their loved ones. Countless lives have been saved thanks to the direct actions of our lifesavers.

But keeping Queenslanders and visitors safe on our beaches comes at a price. That’s why SLSQ CEO Mr Dave Whimpey is asking, what would you give to save a life?

“Our volunteer lifesavers donate their time and risk their lives on the beach every weekend and now they need your help so they can keep doing what they do best – saving lives,” said Mr Whimpey.

“Like many other organisations across the country, SLSQ has been impacted by the pandemic and this year our annual fundraising appeal is critical to support our lifesavers.

“With international travel increasing since the reopening of borders, we expect to see more beachgoers as the weather warms up. Combine this with unpredictable weather patterns and increased operating costs, our lifesaving services will likely be under significant pressure this season.

“As the one and only SLSQ fundraiser for the year, and with all proceeds going back to ensuring lifesavers and clubs have the equipment and training needed to keep people safe on Queensland beaches, we are seeking to raise $500,000 during the Appeal.”

Volunteer members will be fundraising in their communities across Queensland from Saturday, October 1, to Sunday, October 9, so please support in any way that you can.

To make a donation or find further information, please visit:

Queensland Lifesavers Appeal (raisely.com)

Media Contact:           Karly Abbott 0412246640