CBH Group and the Royal Flying Doctor Service have formed a mutually beneficial partnership amounting to $300,000.
The grain organisation has committed to $100,000 in annual funding for the next three years to enable the service to carry out its airstrip survey and evaluation program.
The program ensures the RFDS has an up-to-date register of the location and condition of more than 700 airstrips in Western Australia.
Maintaining the register means the service can reach 98 per cent of the state with its 15 aircraft.
CBH’s commitment is the largest under its community investment program, which allocates $1 million annually to benefit the lives of rural communities and grain growers.
Chief executive Andy Crane said the partnership was an easy decision for the group as the service was an ‘obvious fit’ with the grain organisation.
CBH’s other community investment beneficaries include Ronald McDonald House, at which CBH has its own unit.
Ronald McDonald house provides accommodation for rural families with seriously ill children who are receiving treatment at Perth hospitals.
Today marked the start of construction of a new house at the facility worth $20 million, which will triple the amount of accommodation space. The state government contributed $8 million through Lotterywest to the total cost of the project, which is due to be completed in 2015.
CBH's other community investments are largely sporting organisations such as the WA Country Football League and Hockey WA.
Rio Tinto is another major funder of the RFDS and committed to continuing its partnership for another four years in 2013.
