Tenterfield's rescue helicopter op shop may still be in its infancy but it continues to go from strength to strength, winning another award for the biggest proportional jump in sales over last year's figures.
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Tenterfield is up against larger centres like Yamba, Ballina, Lismore, Casino, Coffs Harbour and Grafton in the Lismore-based Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter northern region, so the Rescue Helicopter Support Group's Dodge Landers is very proud of the achievement. It comes after earning the same monthly award this time last year, demonstrating steady growth in the business.
Mr Landers and other volunteers celebrated the op shop's third birthday on Saturday, clearing an amazing $120,000 for the rescue helicopter since it threw open its doors. He puts it down to great salesmanship on the part of the volunteers, but of course they must have something to sell and donations continue to come in from locals and those farther afield.
He thanked all the donors and the volunteers and the people of Tenterfield for the op shop's success, and long may it continue.
The op shop is always in need of more donations and more volunteers, as people come and go. Mr Landers invited anyone with some spare time to come along to the shop and have a cup of coffee and meet the volunteers. If they like the atmosphere they only have to sign a form to go on the schedule.
There's flexibility in the hours, and if someone can't make their scheduled spot there's no drama as long as they let someone know.
"It's not a knuckle screw-down contract they have to sign," Mr Landers said.
Proceeds from the op shop are complemented by funds raised through the support group's wider activities, accounting for another $165,000 in the three years leading up to when the books closed last October.
"It's a magnificent effort," Mr Landers said.
Mr Landers hasn't been approaching local businesses for donations as many are doing it tough in the knock-on effect from the drought, but he was very grateful to Michael Townes to call on his out-of-town business contacts to fully-support the golf day.
The next major fundraiser on the support group's calendar is the annual rescue helicopter dinner, at the beginning of August.
