The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter is on standby 24 hours a day to support the community of Northern NSW and Tenterfield region. On Sunday at a special event at the service's Lismore helibase, it was the Tenterfield community giving its generous support in return.
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Members of the Rescue Helicopter's local Tenterfield Volunteer Support Group, headed by a passionate John Landers, made the trip down the range to present a donation from the groups fundraising efforts over the past year of $85,000.
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"For some members of the group it was the first time they had been to the base or even seen the Rescue Helicopter up close," service spokesperson Zeke Huish said.
"It's remarkable to think that people can volunteer so dearly for a cause that they have never seen first-hand.
"We have all watched on in disbelief at some of the hardships the Tenterfield community has endured these past few years with the drought and fires. To receive such an incredibly generous donation of support despite all of this is quite simply amazing.
"We give our deepest appreciation to the entire Tenterfield community who have continued to support John and the Volunteer Support Group, as well as our Helicopter Op Shop in Tenterfield, over this past year to help keep the service flying and saving lives."
Lismore MP Janelle Saffin is also a keen supporter of the service and the volunteers' efforts, and was on hand to welcome the group to the helibase and be part of the presentation.
She's also a keen op shopper and has visited the Tenterfield Rescue Helicopter op shop to browse its wares, taking the opportunity to match the donation she made to its Lismore counterpart.
When she attended the Lismore fundraising dinner she had promised to donate another $250 to Tenterfield, contributing to an effort that puts Tenterfield well-ahead of other support groups.
