Collins Hume fundraising for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service
Key fundraising points
It costs about $40 million a year to keep helicopters and crews on call, ready to respond
About $12 million of that cost is raised through sponsorships, volunteer, support groups, events and community partnerships
The remainder is funded through contracts with NSW Health and NSW Ambulance.
On 22 May, Collins Hume is putting up a team to raise much-needed funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
Every dollar raised contributes to keeping the Rescue Helicopter Service available 24/7, 365 days a year. Each of our team has a personal goal to individually raise $250 per person.
Adding to that, Collins Hume has kicked in for registration fees and team uniforms, but we need more help.
This year, we'll be setting out in three teams covering three courses – 12 kms, 24 kms or 36kms. We're asking for as many people as possible to choose a course and back us to finish:
Sponsor our 12 km course https://events.rescuehelicopter.com.au/fundraisers/collinshume12
Sponsor our 24 km course https://events.rescuehelicopter.com.au/fundraisers/collinshume24
Sponsor our 36 km course https://events.rescuehelicopter.com.au/fundraisers/collinshume36
Current fundraising leader Chris Priester said, "I volunteer with a rescue organisation and have seen first-hand the very good work that the Rescue Helicopter pilots and crew do to support the community."
"Whether it is transporting casualties who require urgent medical care or extricating people from areas that would otherwise be too dangerous to reach the Rescue Helicopter has proven to be an essential life-saving tool.
"This is my fifth walk to help raise funds for this valuable service. Only last year our grandson was flown from Lismore to Gold Coast University Hospital for emergency treatment which saved his life," added Val Anderson.
Collins Hume fundraising organiser Kim Roy said, "I'm really proud to be part of a team of out there individuals who are willing to get up from behind the desk and have some fun while raising money for a great cause."
Every dollar we raise helps to keep the Rescue Helicopter flying 24-7 for those in need. Please support our team's fundraising efforts to keep helicopters and crews ready to respond when needed.
Background The Community's Own Westpac Rescue Helicopter proudly provides a vital 24-7 aeromedical search and rescue service for the people of Northern NSW.
The service is on call 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Approaching 2,000 missions each year these include:
Primary – attend accident site, treat and transfer patients to hospital
Secondary – transfer patients between hospitals for specialist treatment
Search and rescue – help to locate missing people, rescue and return to safety
The Service delivers world class care for 1.5 million people from three bases in Lismore, Belmont and Tamworth. In 2017 the Service added AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters to the fleet. These state of the art Italian-built aircraft enable the Rescue Helicopter crew to fly further and faster, saving valuable time and precious lives.
Along the Pilot and Aircrew Officer, every primary response mission today leaves with a dedicated NSW Ambulance Paramedic and Local Health District 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 at the scene of their accident.
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