8th, September, 2021

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service supporters across Northern NSW are being encouraged to lace up their shoes this October in a virtual fundraiser that will take them from ‘base to base’.

“Base to Base” will see participants walk, run, ride or roll the distance between any of the four (4) Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service bases, located at Belmont, Broadmeadow, Tamworth and Lismore.

Participants can engage individually or gather a team to complete a mission together. Distances will appeal to people of all ages and levels of fitness ranging from 42km through to a challenging 1,386km full loop between all four bases.

“Our Service is there for our community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and this event gives the community a chance to move where we fly, all the while learning about how we operate and supporting our great team in the sky and on the ground,” said Service CEO Richard Jones OAM.

“Whether you are walking 1km a day over the month or cycling big kilometres every weekend, there’s a distance for everyone to get involved and get active for your Rescue Helicopter.”

Base to Base will take people on a virtual journey of the Service’s operations across Northern NSW. As participants travel the distance, they will hear from past patients, learn about our Volunteers and upon arrival at a helicopter base be able to experience a virtual base tour. Participants can join as individuals or teams including family, friends, work colleagues, sporting group or school friends – no team is too big or too small!

The event was created as a result of the continuing impact of COVID on the Service’s face to face community fundraising activities, including Op Shops, volunteering, events and workplace talks leaving a significant shortfall in vital community fundraising.

“Not only have a lot of our planned events been postponed, but the Service was very aware of the mental health toll on members of the community that the additional lockdowns and restrictions arising from the Delta variant is taking. October is Mental Health Month, so the idea was for people to be able to get active and work together towards a goal without compromising public health and safety,” said Mr Jones.

Base to Base is free to enter with participants encouraged to raise funds for the Service by sharing their mission with family, friends and colleagues.

“Whether you can join in or simply support a participant for a little bit or a lot, every dollar raised helps us stay ready to respond to our communities in Northern NSW and we are so grateful for your continued support.”

Participants can register at www.rescuehelicopter.com.au/event    

You can follow our participant’s photos, stories and experiences at www.instagram.com/basetobasechallenge and www.facebook.com/basetobasechallenge