Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service

Every dollar you raise on the Ride for the Chopper supports your Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service in Northern NSW. Providing a vital 24-7 aeromedical search and rescue service for our community, the Service supports over 1.5 million people from bases in Belmont, Tamworth and Lismore.

Your support keeps us ready to respond to those who need it most.

On board every mission is a Pilot, Aircrew Officer,  NSW Ambulance Critical Care Paramedic and NSW Health Doctor. Some missions may also include a specialist nursing professional.

By taking part in the Ride for the Chopper, you are a part of every life saving mission we fly.

Your fundraising dollars help to keep the Rescue Helicopter flying 24-7 for those in need.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter flies over 1,500 missions a year, including responding to emergency Triple Zero (000) calls, inter-hospital transfers and search and rescue.

Every day the Service is proud to deliver the very best in aeromedical support for those in need 24-7.

Our fleet of four state of the art AugustaWestland 139 (AW139) aircrafts, operate from three bases at Belmont Airport, Lismore Airport and Tamworth Airport.

Deep maintenance, engineering and administration are at Broadmeadow (Newcastle). 

The AW139 helicopters are bigger aircraft capable of flying for longer, faster periods, covering great distances.

The AW139’s cost $1,000 per hour in fuel, $1,000 per hour to run the engine, $1,500 for the airframe and $500 in avionics, that’s a total of $4,000 per hour. 

Watch the video to see the medical fit out on board our fleet.

It costs approximately $40 million a year to keep the helicopters and crews ready to respond when needed. 

Of this, $12 million is raised through sponsorships, Volunteer, Support Group activities, events and partnerships with our community. 

The remainder is funded through contracts with NSW Health and NSW Ambulance.