Choppers saving lives
THERE'S a lot of change underway at the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter service, with bigger aircraft and a new base as part of a new 10-year contract with the NSW Health Department.
From April 1 next year the service will be visible overhead in a series of newer, bigger and more advanced helicopters, as part of a range of sweeping changes to the organisation, which services Coffs Harbour to the Tweed.
The changes include a new helibase at the Lismore Airport, which is now a month into construction, a new helipad on the roof of the Lismore Base Hospital, and a new $18 million AW139 helicopter.
The new helicopters - which are about 30% bigger in size - will be one of four rotated between Newcastle, Tamworth and Lismore.
Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter general manager Kris Beavis said despite all the changes, it would still be the same team flying and fundraising and any funds raised locally would stay local.
The service, which is 60% community-funded, is planning to open a new op-shop in the Tweed to help raise much-needed funds.
Mr Beavis said the organisation was keen to sign up new volunteers from the Tweed to help with fundraising.
The chopper will be at Salt SLSC this Sunday from 10am - 12pm.
