Helicopter Doorknock Appeal needs volunteers
The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter needs your help this Sunday, August 26, for a couple of hours.
The service’s annual Doorknock Appeal is their biggest fundraising event, and they are still on the lookout for door-knockers and drivers in a number of towns including Alstonville, Ballina, Broadwater, Brunswick Heads, Byron Bay, Casino, Evans Head, Lennox Head, Lismore, Mullumbimby, Ocean Shores and Woodburn.
The Doorknock Appeal, which is sponsored by Bourke Love McCartney Young, sees doork-nockers hitting the streets in over 50 towns throughout the northern region.
Anyone interested in helping out and door knocking on the day should simply turn up at any of the collection venues listed below.
East Ballina’s Clare Mazzer, who was airlifted by the rescue helicopter in 2002 after having an aneurysm, is now a passionate supporter of the service.
“I used to take the rescue helicopter for granted,” says Clare. “Now I don’t. And I think it’s important that the people of the northern region get behind the appeal – via either volunteering on the day or making a donation or both!”
It’s so easy to help – volunteers meet at a chosen location in their area and then hit the streets allocated. All volunteers receive a Doorknock Kit (water, food voucher, pens, receipt book etc) as well as a certificate of appreciation, with some of the bigger venues staging Thank You Parties afterwards. So get together with your friends, family, workmates or school friends and turn up this Sunday.
The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Annual Doorknock Day appeal is the service’s biggest fundraising event (raising over $100,000 each year), and relies on the support over 1000 volunteers on the day.
Residents are encouraged to please give generously when one of the volunteer collectors calls on Saturday or Sunday or donate via the website www.helirescue.com.au or any Westpac bank.
The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. On average the service flies five to six missions per week. Its annual operating costs are $4.5 million, half of which needs to be raised from the community every year.
Doorknock Day Collection Venues in the Ballina Shire and surrounding area:
Alstonville: Geoff Watt Building (near Alstonville Bowling Club).
Ballina: Ballina Bowling and Recreation Club.
Lennox Head: Scout Hall.
Lismore: Rescue Helicopter base.
Brunswick Heads: Brunswick Heads Bowling Club.
Byron Bay: Byron Bay Community Centre.
Casino: Westpac Bank.
Clunes: RFS Shed.
Coraki: Fire Brigade Shed.
Evans Head: Surf Club.
Mullumbimby: Westpac Instore.
Ocean Shores: Community Centre (Rajah Road).
Woodburn: SES Shed.
