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Catriona White

2024 -Ride for the Chopper

I'm fundraising for...

Northern NSW Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service which changes outcomes in our community every day.

I am participating in the Ride for the Chopper to support the important lifesaving work of the Rescue Helicopter Service on call to our community 24/7, 365 days a year.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service is a flying intensive care unit.  The AW139 Helicopter has a Pilot with a minimum of 15 years flying experience; a Crewman, a SCAT trained Paramedic and a Doctor.  

Surgeries can be performed from the helicopter as well as blood transfusions.  It has the capacity to carry 2 patients or 2 Neonatal Cots. Not only does the Rescue Helicopter attend accidents it also transfers critical patients to larger hospitals for specialist treatment plus conducts Search and Rescue missions. 

The AW139s cost $1,000 per hour in fuel, $1,000 per hour to run the engine, $1,500 for the airframe and for $500 avionics, that’s a total of $4,000 per hour.

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

Please give generously and share my page with your friends, family and colleagues. Thank you for supporting Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.  

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$5,198

My Goal

$5,000

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My Achievements

Donate to Self

Shared Fundraising Page

First Donation

First Blog or Log

Reached Fundraising Target

$100 - Helipad Hero

$250 - Lift Off Legend

$500 - Blue Sky Dreamer

$1,000 - Airborne Angel

$2,500 - High Flyer

My Updates

Recipient of the Robert Marsh Auusie True Grit award

Tuesday 24th Sep
I am honoured to receive the award and wanted to post a bit about the man it remembers, thanks to Mick Wilson for his recollections.

Bob was a legend, an absolute community minded person who would go out of his way for anyone.
He rode the RFTC with his best mate Andy Falkinmire and joined the team on the Parkes - Tamworth ride. 
He never missed and became a much respected and loved
member of the team.
In 2016 he was training for another epic adventure with the RFTC that ended up seeing the team complete 164km in one day.
Bob was on the New England Hwy and was knocked off his bike. He was then airlifted by the service he did so much for to JHH. 
In 2017 he passed away and the RFTC was a memorial ride in his honour and the true grit award was presented by Bob's family.
He also rode the Cameron Corner to Tamworth 21 days and the Dirty 30 - Barossa to Tamworth, all to support the service and keep a flying ICU available to the community of the North West.

Thank you

Tuesday 24th Sep
A huge thank you to all who made donations to help me achieve my target for fund raising of $5,000.
It is wonderful that so many were willing to contribute to such a worthy cause.
A special shout out to the Year 9 & 10 Commerce classes from Calrossy, that donated the profits of their Market Days held around the school and to the New family that got me over the line.

Made it!

Friday 20th Sep
Arrived at Chopper Base without any injuries, just aches and pains! All for an outstanding cause. 620km seems a distant memory🙂

Aussie True Grit award

Friday 20th Sep
All my efforts acknowledged with this award. A 20th Century bike is a disadvantage thats for sure!

Tutu Tuesday

Friday 20th Sep
Many thanks to staff at St Vinnies Peel St for setting me up for success with my colour coordinated apparel!

The wet crunchie award

Friday 20th Sep
Had a little swim at a slippery ford! Entertainment for all!

Back of the pack

Friday 20th Sep
Each day i would head off behind the lead vehicle only to be overtaken by the riders.
My legs and bike skills becoming more agile I was at time able to try an gain dome benefit from drafting. But eventually tire and fall behind.
Thanks to all the riders who gave encouragement and came back to support.

Back on home soil!

Friday 20th Sep
Finally finished the hills of Inverell, Warialda and Bingara to be at Manilla and the base of Mt Borah!

At wind farms Glen Innis!

Sunday 15th Sep
83km with 800m height gain and 3rd last today so hopefully can pass on the "plug" award!

Assistance up the hill

Sunday 15th Sep
Saturday had 1300m of climbing over 87km. Awarded the "Plug" for efforts plugging along to come in last!

Survived 2nd day 87km

Saturday 14th Sep
Yesterday rode 40 something km with head wind.
Last into town at 5.00pm!
Today afer a yummy breakfast headed esst out of town on the first of many hills.
Poor ambulance drivers following me at my pace of about 15-19km managed to stay awake as followed me.
Arrived at every break last altbough started first! The pelaton just kept overtaking.
Lots of pictures if me with ambulance behind.
Big shout out to Ben, Graham and Ross for some hill assist!
Tomorrow Inverell.

Starting to do some distance

Thursday 15th Aug
Rode to the Zonta Birth Kit day at Sheffield B&B Farmstay at Kingswood. Just over 32km in just under 2 hrs. Finally have top gear working after some TLC from Giant Tamworth changing the cable and adjusting the derailleur. The return journey home was an extra 5km and more hills so 3hrs! 67km in total. Really need to start getting some distance in to harden the bottom😁 

Rode first 30km

Wednesday 24th Jul
With new brakes, lights and pump attached headed off for first ride of 30km. Went via The Westpac to for this picture. There was surprise that I riding on "that bike". 
All part of the challenge!

Cleaned the bike

Tuesday 16th Jul
A classic for a classic. 
The 1980's Gary Fisher mountain bike had a clean!
Greased the chain and bearings, new brake pads and pumped the tyres so no excuses not to get on the saddle and try and harden up.
Several years since its been ridden but still functioning so this will be my ride!
She may look worn but still feels comfy, who needs springs, dampeners and all the other accessories of a modern bike!

Thank you to my Sponsors

$1.02k

9 And 10 Commerce Classes

$620

Alex New

$610

Catriona - Auction Items

$270

Catriona White

$105.50

Thomass Hamiltons

So proud of you! 😊

$105.50

Susan Lowe

$105.50

Ce-anne And Marty

With you all the way!

$105.50

Claire Dickinson

Don’t listen to your legs! Go girl!!! Great initiative

$101

Liz Pike

$100

Wayne Lockhart

Incredible effort Catriona. Puts my 120km each week to shame!

$100

Christine Curran

Go girl. Fantastic effort for a good cause.

$100

Rosalind Jones

$100

Kim Brissett

Good luck Catriona, you are awesome!! Keep up the snacks provided along the way by the support crew and let them pick up any pieces if required!!!

$79.13

Joe Goldsworthy

Hope you finish

$79.13

Deb Pawsey

$78

Anonymous

A pleasure to support a very worthy person in a very worthy cause. Go well!!

$52.75

Wendy Wheeldon

I hope the ride is going well and you are not too sore at the end of the day😊

$52.75

Toni King

You are an inspiration Catriona! All the best for a successful ride.

$52.75

Susan Lowe

Well done! Mammoth effort! Only two days to go. X

$52.75

Zeff

Great one cc, fantastic effort hope you’re enjoying the ride

$52.75

Julia Boland

Amazing effort Catriona!!!!

$52.75

Alice Milson

True grit!

$52.75

Thomass Hamiltons

So proud of you CC! On your bike! 😊

$52.75

Norma Porter

$52.75

David Smith

Go well Catriona - you are a worthy rep for us

$52.75

Sally And Bill Merrick

Go you good thing, wonderful cause

$52.75

Sharon Draper

You are amazing Catriona!

$52.75

Jade Heffernan

$52.75

Kelly Eason

Good Luck Catriona!

$52.50

Kellsy

So proud of you, Triney! Such a legend!

$52

Anonymous

Great effort Catriona!👏

$50

Radi Tintner

$50

Brenda

$42.20

Anonymous

Sorry it’s taken so long

$35.87

Alexis Shearer

Good on you! Great work! Brilliant pics

$31.65

Kathy De Jong

Great work Catriona. So proud of you.

$31.65

Charles Impey

Great result Catriona and hope everything is ok after that fall along the creek causeway.

$31.50

Clarice Thibault

$30

Tamara

You are an amazing woman, and I have no doubt you will smash it! Good luck, enjoy the journey and ring me if you need a lift x

$27

Colin Chandler

$26.38

Maree Keating

You’ve got this!! I’ve got full confidence in you! Awesome effort - worthy cause!! GO YOU GOOD THING :) xx

$26.38

Hanna Klasen

Go Catriona!

$26.38

Katya Thomas

$26.38

Bri And Conrad Starr

Good on you Catriona for your inspiring commitment to a great cause!

$26.38

Marlene Wilson

Good luck Catriona, we’ll done!

$26.38

Janelle Suckling

$26.38

Andrew Tracey-smith

$26.38

Jane Sleeman

$26.38

Natalia Huber

What an incredible inspirational effort. Having had to call in a heli for a fellow’s paraglider accident, I have so much respect for, and gratitude to this valuable service. Big hug and keep going!

$26

Jen Hyde

All the best for the ride Catriona!!

$25

Coralie

Go Catriona! It’s amazing! All the best!

$25

Anonymous

$21

Clarice T

$21

Deb Hubbard

$21

Trudi Martin

$10.55

Anonymous

I love your choice of bike. Fly like an eagle. (Sue’s friend)

$10.55

Elly Davies

Good luck Catriona. Have fun.