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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. Click here for 25 ways that you can help Click here for the 25th anniversary registration form Click here for the door knock day registration form
The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service
The Northern Region Westpac Lifesaver 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 twenty years, the rescue helicopter service has provided an aero-medical service to the residents of the North Coast. During this period the service has flown 4294 missions, of which 1600 were Primary Missions (accidents), 2257 hospital transfers and 437 search and rescue missions. Currently the rescue helicopter averages 5 missions a week. In 1994 the purchase of a second Dauphin helicopter made it possible for the service to operate around the clock, 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 with a cost (although the service is free). The annual budget to run the operation is $3 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 on the North Coast have been very generous supporters. Funds are raised from donations, payroll deductions, bequests and proceeds from special events. Without this generous support the rescue helicopter service would not exist. |
