A SMALL, but eager group of helicopter representatives is busy making final preparations for their trek to Kokoda next week – but it almost didn’t happen.
The idea for the trek came from Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter chief crewman Roger Fry, who wanted to do something adventurous for his 50th birthday, and raise money for the rescue helicopter.
The idea almost came to a stand-still, however, after some of the trekkers had to withdraw from the trip. Making matters worse, the idea of the trip being a ‘fundraiser’ was looking very shaky when a major sponsor could not be found.
As luck would have it, however, North Coast Radiology heard about the event and stepped forward to become the trek’s major sponsor.
North Coast Radiology managing partner Lincoln Gillam said the owners and staff of North Coast Radiology had been donating to the rescue helicopter for many years, and sponsoring a rescue helicopter event made perfect sense.
“When the opportunity came up to sponsor the Kokoda walk, it seemed the obvious thing to do,” Dr Gillam said.
“The rescue helicopter is a vital part of our medical and wider community, and plays a critical role in getting injured and seriously ill people to hospital. Without this vital resource, many lives would be needlessly lost.
“Our radiologists are routinely involved in just about all trauma cases brought in by the helicopter.”
Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter manager of business and events Andy Stewart said organising the trek had been ‘a hard slog’.
“It’s been an incredibly big challenge to make this trip happen; but the biggest challenge is still to come – and that’s the trek, itself,” Mr Stewart said.
The trekkers will depart the Westpac …
