The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service has become an integral part of the Hunter region since it kicked off on a part-time basis almost 40 years ago.
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The helicopter and its crew, which are based at Broadmeadow, are now available 24/7 to respond to medical emergencies across our region.
A quick check of the service’s
many mission reports for April, May and June of this year show just how much we now rely on the helicopter and those who keep it in the air.
On April 12 the service responded to three calls for help across the region – a badly injured motorcycle rider at Cessnock, a two-year-old boy who was pulled unconscious from a pool at Scone, and a 20-year-old woman involved in a motor vehicle accident at Freemans Waterhole.
All were taken to the John Hunter Hospital for treatment.
The quick response time of the helicopter service can sometimes mean the difference between life and death for accident victims.
That’s why the Hunter’s mining community has been a long and proud supporter of the service.
About 160 miners from across the Hunter will join forces on Saturday, October 11 for the first Hunter Valley Mining Rugby League Charity Knockout Competition and, apart from having a bit of fun, the day is all about raising money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
Event organiser and miner Simon Clifford says miners know the risk of working within the industry.
“Many of us know someone that has required the assistance of the rescue helicopter as a result of an accident and therefore we have set our fund-raising goal of $25,000,” Mr Clifford said.
Please support the day as it’s for a worthy cause.