Letter: Red Shirts Mean So Much

From Richard Jones OAM, CEO of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter:

There are more than 1000 people and 37 Support Groups throughout Northern NSW who wear red volunteer shirts in support of the Community’s Own Westpac Rescue Helicopter… and they wear them with pride!

Providing a vital emergency service for our community would not be possible without the support of our Volunteers who dedicate their time at local events, shopping centres, op shops, cooking up a storm at sporting grounds and hardware stores, running raffles, collecting donations tins and much more.

Margie Cooper and Errol Bates supporting the Westpac Rescue Helicopter in Scone.

Volunteers proudly keep the Rescue Helicopter flying 24-7 for the people of Northern NSW and we are so thankful for the special women and men who enjoy the comradery and social benefits of volunteering for their Service.

This week is National Volunteer Week and we will be highlighting our unbelievably generous Volunteers. Since our early beginnings, volunteers have been integral to our operations and in 2019, they remain an important part of who we are and what we do.

Volunteers stand alongside our partners in NSW Ambulance and NSW Health, our supporters in the corporate sector and the community, to help us provide the best possible aeromedical search and rescue service for the people of Northern NSW.

While our Engineers work to keep the helicopters flying and our Pilots, Aircrew Officers, NSW Ambulance Paramedics and NSW Health Doctors provide medical care 24-7, the work of our Volunteers has been fundamental in the development of our Service since 1975.

This week is about celebrating the important work of volunteers throughout Australia, so please if you see a volunteer in your community say ‘THANK YOU’. Those two small words really do go a long way in ensuring that volunteers feel appreciated.

On behalf of our Staff, Board and Regional Advisory Committees, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all of our Volunteers, past and present. We would not be where we are today without each and every one of you.

Please get in touch if you are interested in volunteering for the Service: www.rescuehelicopter.com.au/SupportUs/Volunteers or call 1800 155 155.