Together we raised more than $40,000 - and this Sunday organisers hope to bring our three-year total up to $100,000.

Achievements like this make me proud to say I'm from Wollondilly.

For a small shire with not many large corporations or businesses, it's amazing that we manage to raise so much money for CareFlight time and time again.

I think it's proof that we have so many caring people in this shire who understand how important CareFlight is.

We don't have a hospital close by and the number of accidents on our roads has reached the highest in NSW.

Imagine how many more friends and family members we could have lost if there were no such thing as CareFlight.

It's no secret that my step-sister Jessica took a ride in the chopper a few years ago.

Doctors said that when she arrived at the hospital, it was a 75 per cent chance that she would die in the next 48 hours.

I'd hate to think what could have happened if CareFlight hadn't arrived.

Last week, I met Picton residents Rob Dorrey and Deb Davidson, who are very grateful that CareFlight was there to treat their son Jett minutes after he was born.

Rob said CareFlight flew to the hospital so quickly that by the time the doctor told him there was a problem they could hear the helicopter. I can't imagine how reassuring that sound would have been for two parents watching their first- born turn blue.

I'm constantly amazed by the CareFlight team and can never understand why such a vital service doesn't receive more funding from all levels of government.

I've been to the CareFlight headquarters a few times and they are working in sheds and shipping containers so that all of the money the community gives them can help save lives.

Maybe one day the Government will wake up and realise how truly amazing and vital this service is.

Until then, it's lucky for CareFlight that Wollondilly will always have its back.

mfenech@fairfaxmedia.com.au