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.
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
All good things come to an end…
Saturday 19th Sep Fantastic ride into Tamworth yesterday (minimal headwinds!!!!) to conclude a great week. Will miss the people and camaraderie! Settling back at home, no bike riding this weekend LOL. Plenty of laundry and a bike clean for my trusty steed - no mechanical issues, no flat tires (didn’t even have to top up air in the tires). Thanks to all my supporters, your words of encouragement made it all possible. Thanks to Ben from Giant Tamworth for a great pre-ride service.
One more day to go!
Thursday 17th Sep
Day 4
Tuesday 15th Sep A shorter day today, with a lovely school visit in Rowena followed by a quick 38 km. Getting some training along with the fund raising, thanks to some strong riders and persistent headwinds! Bike and I both holding up… Looking forward to tomorrow’s ride and a visit to a cotton gin. Share
First 3 days done and dusted!
Sunday 13th Sep Short ride around town on Friday followed by the two biggest days on Saturday (127 km) and Sunday (103 km). Perfect weather except for the worst headwind this morning! Made it with the peloton’s help, we all took turns leading and drafting… Great visit at Just Rustic with an amazing spread for morning tea/lunch. Heading off to Rowena public school tomorrow followed by the ride to Narrabri.
Off to the Ridge!
Friday 11th Sep At long last we’re off! 69 km ride last Sunday, three training sessions on the spin bike, hopefully the legs are ready for the real thing… Beautiful day for the drive up and the weather looks good for the week ahead, so all good!🙂 Share
Getting close!
Wednesday 2nd Sep 82km on Chum’s Echo Hills ride this past Sunday. Another glorious day out! Chilly start but warmed up quickly. Everyone did well and looking forward to heading to "The Ridge"; only a few more days to go… Share
Ramping up training
Friday 28th Aug 83 km last Sunday! The scones with jam and cream at the halfway mark (or a bit further!) made it all worthwhile. Hoping to tackle Echo Hills next Sunday providing I can catch up on sleep (busy week at work)… Will also be trying out my new MagPeds (finally received them!). Only two weeks to The Ride! Share
Keeping up with the training!
Tuesday 18th Aug 63 km with a few hills this past Sunday. Another glorious day out. Physio must be doing something good: no knee pain. Less than a month to go before The Ride. Here’s to hoping my MagPed get here soon… In the meantime, keeping up with the training on my spin bike and on the road. Share
Sponsors ride on Sunday
Monday 10th Aug Took pictures at some of our sponsors’ businesses. Only 38 km but the climb to the lookout made up for it!
Another Sunday ride.
Sunday 2nd Aug Glorious day and great company! 41.5 km… Finally comfortable with the bike. Felt somewhat easier today so maybe cadence training and strength training sessions are helping. Six weeks or so to go before heading to Lightning Ridge! Share
Keeping going!
Tuesday 28th Jul Short 35 km ride this past Sunday. Cold but gorgeous day. Small group but determined. Have started strength and cadence training, hopefully will see results! Share
Nundle ride
Monday 20th Jul Fantastic ride to Nundle and back this weekend (with an overnight stay). Great company, great food, and great riding - save for the head wind! Cardio going good, now need to focus on quad strength and endurance… Bike tune up worked wonders - no more chain rub. Just need new pedals, a few tweaks here and there, and off we go again! Share
Another training ride!
Sunday 12th Jul 36 km today, more hills and a head wind at times. Survived! As they say, what doesn’t kill you… At least it didn’t rain! The prospect thereof was enough to keep some people away it seems - small crowd, but a brave one! Share
First official training ride!
Sunday 5th Jul Met with a few veterans and other newbies of the Ride for a training ride today. Gorgeous day although a bit cold at first. Great ride (50km), great people! I think I’ll survive… More comfortable with the bike, can’t wait for the real thing! Share
Thank you to my Sponsors
$163.43
Marie And James Scott
$140
Sonia Langlais
$106.75
Stephen Burrows
Go cats!
$106.75
Lisa Howle
Huge effort! Great cause!
$106.12
Anonymous
Go for it Sonia!
$106.12
Andrew Watson
Best of luck and enjoy the scenery.
$106.12
Susan Penny
Ride well ( don’t fall off!!)
$104.35
Simon Battersby
Well done Sonia. Pedal hard!
$75
Anonymous
$57
Kalai
Great effort , Good luck
$55.95
Helena Sanderson
Doing us proud
$55.95
Debbie Bussell
$54.84
Stuart Harris
Good luck!
$54.84
Hae Won Jo
Best of luck!
$54.84
Michael Bastick
Best wishes
$54.84
Sarah Cudmore
Go Sonia !
$28.43
Ashleigh Parsons
Good on you!!
$23.81
Well done Sonia.Good luck!