WESTPAC RESCUE CHOPPER CREW SWAP THE SKY FOR LAND TO RAISE FUNDS IN A PHONE APPEAL

Pilots and crew members of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service today swapped the sky for the office, in an effort to raise $150,000 through a special telephone appeal.

This year the service has made 344 rescues and its operation costs aren’t cheap.

“An hourly rate to run this type of operation is around $8500, equipment wise, you’re talking a rotor blade of about $145 000, a winch, rescue hoist is around $200,000, the cable itself is around $2500 to replace so it’s quite an expensive exercise.”

And if you missed today’s telethon, donations can still be made by calling the North Coast rescue base.