Community & Business
26 September, 2026
Dollar for Dusty Successfully Raised $1 million for Little Wings
For 16 days, Dusty, or better known as ‘Dollar for Dusty’, walked over 500km from Warren to Canberra to raise funding and awareness for Little Wings and to keep them in the air so they can continue to deliver paediatricians to children in the bush and transport sick kids to receive the medical care they need.
12-year-old Dusty Langby wasn’t sure if he would reach his ambitious goal of raising $1 million for not-for-profit organisation Little Wings, when he set off on foot from Warren to Canberra on Sunday, August 30.
What he and his mum, Sarah Langby, certainly didn’t expect was to make national headlines along the way.
Dusty and his mum came up with the plan early in the year, taking to social media to raise awareness about their upcoming walk.
From there, it took off and Dusty picked up the interest of local, state, and national news, as well as touching the hearts of thousands of rural communities who know all too well the struggle that comes with accessing medical equality in the bush.
Mum and partner in crime, Sarah, is incredibly proud of what Dusty and the team have achieved.
“Oh, it was mind blowing,” Sarah said.
“It was surreal to walk into a community and be surprised by just the overwhelming support from every generation of life and so many community members.
“This is the thing, people were giving us all they had, if it was anything, what people could give, they did give,” she said.
“The people in the bush gave us stories of hope and we gave them hope as well, that's what's made me so proud,” said Sarah.
On Monday, September 14, Dusty and his team made it to Canberra where they were greeted by federal member for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey, and leader of the Nationals, senator Matt Canavan.
The next day, on Monday, September 15, the pressure was on as Dusty, his mum and Medical Wings nurse, Nicole Callen went to see prime minister Anthony Albanese to ask him for two simple requests.
To match the money Dusty raised, dollar-for-dollar, and to commit to funding to help Little Wings keep flying. Dusty at that point had successfully raised over $500,000.
Prime minister Albanese agreed to match Dusty's fundraising, meaning that Dusty had successfully raised the $1million for Little Wings he had always set out to do.
“[The meeting] went really, really well,” Sarah said. “Anthony came in and shook Dusty's hand and they shared some personal stories and then they made two commitments. “One was to match dollar-for-dollar for Dusty and the second one was to continue Little Wings partnership for the next two years at $500,000 a year,” Sarah said. Emotions were running high, but there was no resting just yet as the team were invited to afternoon tea with the Governor General Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC. While there, Dusty and all 12 members of the crew who accompanied him, each received a Governor General Coin.
Sarah and her family have been overwhelmed by everyone's support, including from the people of their hometown of Warren.
“We're just so grateful to the community of Warren,” Sarah said. “They've really gotten behind Dusty from the minute he had this idea and we're so proud to live and be in Warren,” she said. “And thank you also to all our sponsors, and thank you to Little Wings for supporting it.
“You know, the team at Little Wings are just sensational and we're so grateful to have them leave Sydney and come and walk with us every step of the way.
“It's not often you get a CEO that will put that commitment into it,” Sarah said.
Upon returning home, Dusty had a few days of rest before he had to get back to school, but his journey is far from over.
On Saturday, September 19, Dusty’s favourite rugby league club, the Sydney Roosters, flew Dusty and his family to Sydney to set them up in the Chairman's Club to watch their semi-final game against the Cronulla Sharks. While there, Dusty and his brother, Angus, were kitted out in head-to-toe Roosters gear, and the Langby family were welcomed to join the guard of honor as the team ran out onto the field.
On Monday evening, September 21, one of Dollar for Dusty’s biggest raffles was drawn. With prizes including a family pass to the NRL Grand Final, and specially signed sports guernsey’s from famous footballers to cricketers up for grabs, with the total prize pool coming to a total of $25,000.
Schools, communities, and businesses are still showing their support for Dusty and Little Wings, with their online fundraiser set to stay open for another month to ensure everyone has enough time to host their event and raise money for the cause.
As of September 24, Dollar for Dusty has raised nearly $620,000 online.
