Tragic loss inspires generous act from grieving Bay family

The couple collected 30,000 cans and raised $3000 for RACQ Lifeflight after the tragic loss of their loved ones in a crash in 2018

Sandra, Doug, Hamish, Tiffany and Angelina celebrate raising funds for RACQ Lifeflight.

A Hervey Bay couple who tragically lost their granddaughter and daughter-in-law in a crash have collected more than 30,000 cans to raise funds for an organisation that helps save lives on the roads.

Sandra and Doug were left in mourning when their beloved family members, Bev and Olivia Harwood, were killed in a crash at Oakey in 2018.

Olivia, 17, was killed in the fatal collision at the intersection of Brimblecombe Rd and the Warrego Highway.

Her mother Bev, 44, died in hospital from her injuries a week later.

Olivia‘s father Allan, 48, was also injured in the crash and was flown to Brisbane with Bev for further medical treatment.

“Our son, his wife and their teenage daughter were involved in a car crash, with a truck, not far out of Toowoomba,” Doug said.

Sandra and Doug were left in mourning when their beloved family members, Bev and Olivia Harwood, were killed in a crash at Oakey in 2018.

“Olivia, our granddaughter, died at the scene and Bev, our daughter-in-law held on for a week, but she too died. Our son, Allan, managed to pull through, but I don’t know how.”

Several rescue helicopters were called to the scene of the crash, including an RACQ LifeFlight Rescue aircraft.

“I walk about five kilometres a day for exercise purposes, and gradually the idea of cleaning up rubbish on the side of the road, combined with donations to the rescue helicopters took shape,” Doug said.

“The rattle of bottles from our neighbours’ yellow bins on rubbish day, gave us the idea of inviting all residents of our street to participate.”

Now Lifeflight volunteers, Sandra and Doug, along with help from their community, have managed to raise more than $3000 – that’s an incredible 30,000 cans and bottles.

“As the word spreads, we get people other than residents of our street, dropping off recyclables into the special bins near our front gate,” Doug said.

“Last year, COVID caused things to slow down a bit, but we are up and running again. My next trip to the recycle depot will be my 48th drop-off.”

While the couple say they will never come to terms with losing their granddaughter and daughter-in-law, it helps to know the money they’re raising contributes to keeping the choppers in the sky.

“Every time we see the big blue and yellow chopper fly over our house, on its way to the airport here in Hervey Bay, it certainly feels satisfying to think that we are helping in a small way,” Doug said.

Originally published as Tragic loss inspires generous act from grieving Bay family