‘DOLLAR FOR DUSTY’ RECEIVES HERO’S RECEPTION IN BOOROWA
12-year-old Dusty Langby, who volunteered to walk 500 kilometres to improve healthcare access for regional children, received a hero's welcome in Boorowa just days before reaching the nation’s capital.
Joined by his mother Sarah and Little Wings CEO Clare Pearson, Dusty departed his hometown of Warren on August 30 and has been covering up to 40 kilometres a day as part of his mission to raise $1 million for Little Wings' Medical Wings Program.
Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, met Dusty and the Little Wings team at Boorowa Central School, where local students turned out in force to cheer him on before he embarked on the next leg of his journey.
"What Dusty is doing is extraordinary,” Ms Cooke said.
“At just 12 years of age, he has shown a level of courage and compassion that most adults would find difficult to match.”
"Being there to see the excitement on the faces of students at Boorowa Central School was incredibly special.”
“Dusty's visit was proof to them that one person can make a real difference, no matter their age, and that is a powerful lesson for our young people.”
Little Wings is a children’s charity that provides free, professional and safe flight and ground transportation for sick children and their families living in regional and remote NSW, QLD and ACT.
Through its Medical Wings Program, Little Wings also sends paediatricians directly to country towns, reducing the need for families to travel long distances for specialist appointments.
Dusty said his own experiences showed him how important access to specialist healthcare is for country children.
"Little Wings owns Medical Wings, which sends paediatricians out to regional and remote towns, so families don't have to travel which is great,” Dusty said.
“But there are still so many kids waiting. Kids in towns like mine."
Ms Cooke said organisations such as Little Wings play a critical role in closing the healthcare gap between metropolitan and regional communities.
"Every child deserves access to timely healthcare regardless of where they live,” Ms Cooke said.
"Dusty's walk is shining a spotlight on an issue that affects families right across regional Australia.”
“By supporting his mission, we are helping raise awareness of how important equitable healthcare access is and the incredible work Little Wings is doing every day."
Dusty's walk has already raised more than $300,000 and continues to gather momentum as communities across New South Wales rally behind his mission.
Residents can support Dusty's campaign or follow his journey by visiting: www.littlewings.org.au/dollar-for-dusty/.
