Service Regional Marketing Manager, Lisa Thomas, was at the meeting on Wednesday evening and said that in a sometimes sombre service the support groups bring a brighter side with the variety of means of fundraising.

“Whilst we’re serious about what we do in terms of saving lives there’s a really fun side as well with the fundraising the support groups do,” she said.

“We’ve got a lot of exciting events for the 40th anniversary this year – including the Mudgee to Tamworth bike ride in September – and we’d hope Mudgee can be a part of it.”

She reiterated that the rule is that any money raised from Mudgee will be used in the Mudgee region.

Service General Manager, Richard Jones, said that while trained pilots, crews and medical teams from the NSW Ambulance and Hunter Health directly deliver emergency and medical care, the work of supporters makes it all possible.

“Communities help to provide funding through Volunteer Support Groups, workplace giving program, bequest and donations, participating in Helicopter Housie games, sponsorship and fundraising activities,” he said.

“Rescue Helicopter Volunteers provide integral services including staffing exhibitions and education activities, working with our marketing and administrative teams and much more.

“Our Volunteer Support Groups raise essential funds within local communities and help to raise awareness about the Service.

“No one ever pays to be assisted by the Rescue Helicopter but its value is priceless.

“Now in our 40th year, we need to make sure this vital community service is around for another few decades to come.”

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer who didn’t make it to the meeting in Mudgee can also contact Volunteer Coordinator Kim Blanch on  0400 667 787.

There will also be a follow up meeting in Mudgee in around three weeks.

The geographical reach of the service will soon expand with the recently awarded new contract to cover northern NSW from the mid-north coast to the Queensland border from early 2017.