The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (WRHS) has launched its End of Financial Year Appeal, taking the opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to the service and encourage you to make a donation, big or small, before the end of the tax year.

This year marks an incredibly special milestone for the Service – 50 years of saving lives across Northern NSW and without the support of the community it wouldn’t have been possible.

It was also the generous support of the community that enabled the Service to start their operation at Tamworth in August 2000. Celebrating 25 years, the Tamworth base has been able to provide world-class aeromedical and search and rescue capabilities to the New England region and the people who have needed it.

People like Laurie Perry who was crushed in an underground coal mine collapse back in 1990, Brandon Robinson-Smith who was driving home after night shift in Mudgee in 2018 and fell asleep at the wheel for a split second, or David Gatwood who was on his usual morning cycle when he went over a cattle grid and was thrown from his bike.

They, like hundreds of others, owe their lives to the WRHS and its incredible crew.

“Since 1975 the generous support from our community has helped to keep the Westpac Rescue Helicopter flying for those in need,” said Regional Partnerships Officer for the Hunter, Norma Burri.

“Today the Service is there for 1.5 million people throughout Northern NSW including those in the Hunter Valley region.

“Responding to an incredibly diverse range of community needs, from people injured on the roads, farms, workplaces, sporting fields, in the ocean, at the beach and in the bush. The Service also completes hundreds of Inter-Hospital Transfers each year, bringing people from regional towns to major hospitals to receive specialist care.

“Along with our Pilots and Aircrew, every primary response mission today leaves with a dedicated NSW Ambulance Paramedic and NSW Health Doctor and depending on the needs of each patient the team may include specialist nursing professionals. Together, the highly trained Rescue Helicopter team is working to ensure the highest standard of care is provided for every patient.”

The WRHS End of Financial Year Appeal is an opportunity for you to make a tax-deductible donation to the Service before tax time, and know your contribution is going towards saving lives across the region.

To make a donation head to: https://rescuehelicopter.com.au/eofy-appeal/

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

There have been plenty of incredible events held over the last month to raise money for the Service.

The Upper Hunter Golf Day saw 148 players hit Muswellbrook Golf Club’s course to raise over $25,000 for the Service. Days like that couldn’t happen without the community support and the generous support of the sponsors and businesses including Global Soils, Orica and Persas.

1,450 people also attended the Rescue Ball in Newcastle, the biggest event on the Service’s calendar.

The Bengalla Upper Hunter Rescue Ball will be held in August.