Rabobank presented a cheque for $50,000 to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) at a reception held in Orange last night.

The donation is part of a five-year commitment by the agricultural bank to the South Eastern Section of the RFDS.

Speaking last night, Rabobank rural manager for Orange, Paul Morrison, said the bank was extremely proud of its affiliation with the RFDS.

"Rabobank is part of the ‘Friends of the RFDS’ program and the bank’s donation goes towards equipment and aircraft replacement and to provide long-term growth and sustainability for this essential rural emergency service," he said.

"Being a food and agribusiness bank, many of our clients are very isolated and so are potential recipients of this essential service."

The Royal Flying Doctor Service not only provides emergency assistance, but also general healthcare to isolated communities, including clinics, women’s health, dentists, specialists, medical chests and telephone consultation services.

Roger Petheram, Dubbo Base Manager for the RFDS, said the money donated by Rabobank was part of a long-term program that works to replace aging aircraft equipment.

"Rabobank has already donated in excess of $200,000 which is a fantastic contribution. Running the RFDS takes no small amount of money. The equipment we use is high tech, essential and thus very expensive. We simply wouldn’t be able to provide this level of service without our ‘Friends of the RFDS’," he said.

Rabobank also donates to the RFDS through a ‘workplace giving’ program where bank employees can make donations through salary sacrifice which the bank matches to a capped amount.