WITH all face to face fundraising and major event activity on hold as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service has launched its annual appeal with a goal to raise over $300,000.

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We often see the iconic helicopter flying over Port Stephens or even in troubled times coming to aid our community.

The upcoming financial appeal will directly assist the helicopter service to save local lives and lives across Northern NSW.

‘Annually, the people of Northern NSW are so generous in supporting this appeal.

Year in year out we see that a little from many goes a long way and we are ever grateful for that,’ Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service CEO Richard Jones OAM said.

“We know that this year is different and donation support may be difficult for many in our community at this time. We are all in this together and we hope our appeal reaches out to everyone, with those who are able, taking the steps to make their support count at this crucial time.”

Mr Jones said, “Through the current Coronavirus health crisis, our pilots, aircrew and engineers along with the NSW Health doctors and NSW Ambulance critical care paramedics who fly with us, are working hard to deliver medical care for those in need across Northern NSW.”

“Every year on average we fly over 1500 missions, including responding to emergency Triple 0 calls, inter hospital transfers and search and rescue. We’ve also recently seen a milestone achieved by our Lismore base, who performed its 10,000th mission since operations started in that area in 1982.”

“With the onset of the Coronavirus we have taken additional steps, over and above our existing protection, to address the challenges associated with the virus. This has been achieved through an increase in levels of personal protective equipment and modifying procedures to ensure the safety of patients and crew,” Jones said.

“This invitation however is made mindful that many communities are yet to recover from the bushfire crisis and are now faced with these further challenges. We are very conscious that not everyone in our community is in a position to donate but we will be very grateful to those that are able.”

“This truly is a community run service. In the end we are one Community and as our thoughts are with those who are suffering in these trying times, our focus remains on the provision of the best aeromedical support for those in need 24-7,” Jones concluded.

The community can make donations to the Service’s Appeal at www.rescuehelicopter.com.au/Appeal or by FREECALL 1800 155 155.