August 28, 2016

Kate Price has bravely told her family’s story at a gala event after her husband Allan, a Pittsworth paramedic, died last year. She said Allan worked for the Queensland Ambulance Service for 20 years but died from melanoma in August at 53.

Mrs Price spoke at the inaugural QAS Legacy ball, saying the fund stepped in to help her family. Legacy treasurer Glenn Preston contacted her to offer support for her children’s education.

“As a result of that I’m here to acknowledge the work that Legacy does and to put a human face to it,” she said. She said had not heard of Legacy before being offered support. “The relief was immeasurable to know that my children’s education was going to be covered,” she said. From school fees and uniforms to camps and laptops for study, she said Legacy’s help was “extremely important”. “My son starts high school next year and he’ll be required to have a purchase or a loan of a laptop and to know that I didn’t have to find the money for that was a huge relief,” she said. “Legacy will also pay for them when they are old enough to get their driver’s licence and do a defensive drivers course, which I’m sure is something my husband would have liked.” QAS communications officer and gala night organiser Tanya Linnett said Saturday night’s event brought the staff and community together. “Our primary goal is the care of our paramedics, so this just takes it that next step further,” she said. “While people are ringing 000 because they’re sick, without our paramedics being able to go and assist them sick people aren’t going to get the care they need.”