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The annual Christmas lights display at Caerleon Court in Mudgee will help Careflight to continue providing emergency transport to premature babies in the region.
For the past 12 years, Caerleon Court residents have fundraised for a different charity by decorating their homes in Christmas lights and inviting visitors to have their photograph taken with Santa.
With the help of Harvey Norman, which prints the photographs at no charge, the residents this year raised nearly $6500 for Careflight.
Neighbours Peter, Annette, Kylie and Sue Mitchell, Cheryl Maxwell and Natalie and Liam Standen this week presented the cheque to Careflight Community Engagement Co-ordina- tor John Ebbott.
Mr Ebbott said it was great that the Caerleon Court residents had chosen to support Careflight.
Careflight is contracted by NETS (Newborn and paediatric Emergency Transport Service) to transport premature and ill babies from the Mid- Western Region to major hospitals.
Since January this year, Careflight has trans- port one baby from Mudgee and two from Rylstone.
Careflight also provides medical staff for the rescue helicopter service based in Orange.
Mr Mitchell said the annual Caerleon Court Christmas fundraiser began as a joke between neighbours.
In its first year, the neighbours raised $600 and the total has increased each year since then. In previous year, the residents have assisted PCYC, Cystic Fibrosis NSW, the Kidney Foundation, Heart Foundation, the Sudden Infant Death (SIDS) Foundation and the Mudgee Hospital maternity ward, among other causes.