At the Fiona Wood Foundation, we are committed to enhancing health outcomes in regional and rural communities. We proudly share this vision with Kate, the founder of The Darcy Effect, who is tirelessly advocating for improved rural medical services and first aid education to better support these communities.
Kate’s journey began in 2022 when her 16-month-old son, Darcy, experienced a tonic-clonic seizure requiring an emergency flight to Perth via the Royal Flying Doctor Service. During their two-week stay, the family faced firsthand the burden of accessing medical services in rural areas compared to the support available in metropolitan regions.
Driven by her experience as a Health and Physical Education teacher, Kate noticed a lack of accessible learning opportunities for rural and remote students, particularly in first aid knowledge. Through a survey, she identified key gaps in understanding, including burns and snake bites, which highlighted the need for tailored education relatable to regional and remote communities.
To address these gaps, she recently launched her first animation—Fangs on the farm. The story follows three main characters—Darcy Dingo, Gracie Gecko, and Harry Hopperoo—who live in the Australian outback and have to use their teamwork and first aid skills to assist a friend who was bitten by a snake! You can watch the video by clicking here.
It was fantastic to attend the launch of this inspiring project and witness the passion and creativity behind it. At the Fiona Wood Foundation, we deeply admire people like Kate who don’t just see a problem but take active steps to create meaningful solutions.
Who knows—one day, Ben and Bella Burnsafe Superheroes might even join Darcy and his friends on their adventures!
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