Pharmacy Daily | ‘Flying Pharmacist’ raising funds for RFDS

LIFE Pharmacy Group (LPG) owner, pharmacist and pilot Jack Buckley - a.k.a The Flying Pharmacist - has embarked on a 15-day mission across outback Australia to help raise funds for essential medical equipment for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).

Sponsored by LPG, the Flyin4Phun project includes Buckley, Cowra farmer Brad Shephard and Grenfell farmer John Johnson (pictured).

The trio are flying in the 2025 Outback Air Race from Yulara in the Northern Territory to Carnarvon, Western Australia, a journey of over 3,880 kilometres.

"As a healthcare professional, I have incredible respect and admiration for the work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service - what they do is extraordinary," Buckley said.

"The RFDS is such an integral part of healthcare delivery in outback Australia, and having lived in Forbes for almost a decade now, I have seen the importance of this service firsthand.

"I'm really thrilled that we can be helping raise funds for them this year," he added.

"It is such an incredible opportunity for the three of us, it really is 'bucket list' stuff."

More than 40 teams are participating in the Outback Air Race, with the Flyin4Phun team aiming to raise $100,000.

So far, the Outback Air Race 2025 has raised a total of over $870,000 to help fit RFDS aircraft with essential medical equipment, vital for treating sick children and injured patients across Australia.

"We are really proud LPG can support Jack on this incredible flight," Life Pharmacy Group CEO Michael Flannery said.

"LPG has been in regional NSW and the ACT for 70 years, we've seen first-hand the importance of the RFDS, and the lifesaving services it provides communities in rural and remote areas.

"To have one of our pharmacists representing not only LPG but the Central West of NSW, and the broader pharmacy industry, feels very fitting."

To date, the trio has already raised just over $40,000.

To donate, click HERE. KB