Performing over 430 mission last year, the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter is tasked to respond to emergencies across our region more often than some might realise. As a not-for-profit charity based locally in our region, this rescue service is not fully funded and needs to fundraise over $5M annually to be available 24 hours a day. The beginning of May marks the start of the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter’s annual End of Financial Year appeal. Fundraising Manager with the Service, Zeke Huish commented “Many of the patients flown by the Service often refer to the fact that they never thought it would be them who would need the Service next”. One such occasion was a mission the Service performed in September 2015 for a small boy who had fallen into a dam on the families property. The child was flown to a Brisbane hospital and later made a full recovery and now affectional says “I fell in dam and the wokka wokka got me”. Accidents and emergencies like this occur each year and the rescue helicopter service is seeking the support of the community to help it raise over $125,000 before the end of June. To give your support visit their website www.helirescue.com.au or call them directly on 6627 4444. Importantly, all donation support stays in our region and helps to ensure the Service can respond to the next person in need.