The Westpac Helicopter Bus Trip to the ANZ Stadium on the 27 May will be the last fundraiser of this type for Val Brown and Rusty Sargeant.

Both of these Bulahdelah residents have been collecting donations and putting on fundraising events to contribute in keeping the rescue helicopter in flight for the l organise Stoast 13 years.

Rusty Sargeant is the President of the Support Group for the Westpac Helicopter and explained to Myall Coast News, “Each helicopter mission can cost between $2500-3000 and the funding comes from corporate sponsors, miners having their pay deducted and local donations and fundraising efforts.”

The bus trip fundraising events have been organised and attended by locals for many years.

The idea is that the bus goes to Sydney for a cultural or sporting event.

On past trips there have been people with disabilities from Taree and Forster as well as local residents.

Rusty Sargeant commented that it was not only the opportunity to raise money for the Westpac Helicopter that these trips were organised.

“I like to see the smiling faces of all the people that go and I know that they really enjoy themselves.”

Unfortunately the price hike in tickets for the State of Origin is one of the reasons that these fundraising bus trips will no longer be organised by Val Brown and Rusty Sargeant.

As reported in The Daily Telegraph on the 1 April the “exorbitant ticket prices are driving fans away”.

Rusty Sargeant and Val Brown would like to thank their husbands for their support they have given over the years and will still be collecting donations but will not be organising any more bus trips or fundraising events.

If there are any residents who feel they can contribute or would like to help with fundraising ideas please feel free to contact Rusty Sargeant on 0409 153 545.