Spar Supermarket in Maclean did its bit for the Westpac helicopter’s ‘Rescue Day’ on Friday August 14. Each year the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter is on standby 24 hours a day to respond to emergencies. None of these rescues and lifesaving missions would be possible without community support. Rescue Day is the community’s chance to be part of the ‘rescue’. As an organisation that is not fully funded, volunteers help raise the $4million required each year to keep the rescue helicopters flying. Based in Lismore, the helicopter services an area that extends from the Queensland border, south to Macksville, west to Glen Innes and Tenterfield and beyond the coastline – and averages six to seven missions a week across the region. When asked why Spar Maclean supported the rescue helicopter, the store’s manager, Janelle McLachlan, said: “Why wouldn’t you?” “You never know, one day you might need it,” said Janelle, whose brother was once flown to hospital by the helicopter. “It’s something we can’t do without. When [misfortune] hits friends and family, you realise its importance to the community.”