Events at the annual Drake fundraiser had to be delayed as footballers and punters vacated the hotel’s cricket pitch for the rescue helicopter, which had been tasked to the village to lift Tenterfield man Brad Foan, who was suffering serious injuries sustained in a single motorcycle accident.

Mr Foan’s motorcycle collided with railing two kilometres west of Drake and fell five metres down an embankment. He was taken to Lismore Base Hospital in critical condition after he was stabilised at the scene of the crash. He is now reported to be in a stable condition.

Desley Kane, Drake Hotel publican and organiser of the Drake Big Day Out, said that the hotel never liked to see the helicopter land in town but it was the best possible demonstration of what the service provides and where the money raised on the day goes.

“It is not a nice thing to see happen to someone, but it was a good thing for people to see firsthand what the day is for,” she said.

Though attendance numbers appeared to be down compared to last year, Mrs Kane said it looked as though the day would again break fundraising records.

Mrs Kane said organisers were still tallying up the fundraising efforts and were still awaiting cheques and contributions from a number of sources, but they suspect that they will surpass the previous year’s total of $28,000 and reach more than $30,000.

Rex Minerals and Titeline Drilling donated $10,000 to the Big Day Out effort and the bidders at the charity auction pushed the total closer to the day’s target and contributed almost $9,000 to takings.

Mrs Kane said the number and variety of stalls at the event had improved compared to last year and the dazzling guitar-work of virtuoso Phil Emmanual drew in the crowds once the sun set. So much so the hotel was still brimming the following morning as weary looking punters reappeared in search of a big breakfast before returning home.

Mrs Kane said she, her husband Bob and the other organisers would bring back the event next year but before then they were looking forward to a few big nights in for rest.