The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service

The Northern Region Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter service is a not-for-profit community-oriented organisation. We are based in Lismore, just west of Byron Bay in northern New South Wales.

For more than 28 years, we have provided an aero medical service to the region’s residents and visitors. During this period we have flown more than 6000 life-saving missions. Currently the rescue helicopter averages 6-7 missions a week.

We operate 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Flight crews live on base after hours to provide a fast response to emergency calls…in fact as you are reading this, a helicopter crew is on duty or out on a mission. We act as an integral part of the Northern Region Emergency Response system and enjoy a close working relationship with all other emergency services, particularly the Ambulance.

However, saving lives comes at a cost (although the service is free). Our annual operating budget is $6.5 million, of which the community contributes more than half.

Fundraising is a year-in and year-out process; however residents, businesses and other non-profit organisations throughout our region have been very generous supporters. Funds are raised from donations, payroll deductions, bequests and proceeds from special events.

HELICOPTER ANNUAL APPEAL – NOW ON

We are facing unprecedented pressure to increase our income to provide the services and support necessary to continue to fund our life-saving rescue missions. We need to raise an extra $1 million this year to keep our operations on track and continue the important business of saving lives. But we can’t do this without your help. Help us secure our future and continue to operate around-the-clock by donating now.
Our ANNUAL APPEAL target is $220,000. SAVING LIVES IS VERY EXPENSIVE – but our vital aero-medical service has been saving lives in our region since 1982.
PLEASE HELP US – DON'T TAKE US FOR GRANTED – WE MUST HAVE YOUR SUPPORT TO CONTINUE OUR MISSION.

Please donate by calling 0266 27 4444 or click here to donate online.

WE JUST CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT.

Meet some of the people we have helped…

Amanda & Jackson Falvey Lennox Head Amanda’s son Jackson airlifted to Brisbane with a twisted bowel, 2006

Merilyn & Dude Ensbey Casino Dude airlifted from Casino to Lismore in 10 minutes, following truck accident, 2006

Tricia, Nicolas and Caitlynd Chiselett Clunes Nicolas’ wife Tricia airlifted to Lismore in fl oods with pregnancy complications, 2001

Lachlan Cowan Marom Creek 6-year-old Lachlan airliftedto Lismore with bruised liver and hole in both lungs after rural accident, 2005

Without the support of the northern region community, Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter simply wouldn’t exist. Please help us to continue to raise vital funds to ensure this essential service continues to operate for many more years to come.