THE Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter was presented with a $50,000 lump sum donation yesterday from Westpac as the bank celebrated 20 years of partnership with the service.

Westpac took up the naming rights sponsorship of the rescue service in 1991, a partnership the company was proud of, said branch manager Steve Bowden.

“Westpac is deeply proud of its association with the northern region's community rescue helicopter service, and is delighted at how the partnership with the service has grown during the past 20 years,” Mr Bowden said.

“We want this association to grow so we can help the service continue saving lives across the region and building a better community for us all.”

Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter general manager Kris Beavis said as a local charity that relied on the corporate and community sector to help fundraise more than 60% of its $6.5 million operating budget, the service was grateful for Westpac's long, ongoing support.

“There is symmetry in this donation,” he said.

“Westpac is giving to our local community, which in turn helps the helicopter respond when the community is in need.”

The helicopter's annual appeal was launched on Saturday with 170,000 specially marked donation envelopes arriving in letterboxes throughout this week. Featured on this year's appeal envelope is the story of seven-year-old Lismore girl Briar-Rose, who fell while jumping on an exercise ball, breaking a bone in her neck.

She was airlifted by the rescue helicopter to Brisbane for specialist care.