The Westpac Rescue Helicopter will keep on flying after community members voted for a Gunnedah support group to receive a funding grant.
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Locals voted for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service - Gunnedah Support Group to receive $3000 as part of the June #GreaterNewEngland community funding program.
The group raises funds solely to cover operational costs of running the chopper service in the region, and has raised about $490,000 for the service over the past 20 years.
"It's an amazing service and especially amazing for people in isolated communities because it goes right up to the North West near Moree and up into the New England as well," group president Robin Capp said.
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Ms Capp was grateful that locals voted for the group to receive the funding, and grateful for the support of the Greater, too.
"It's almost impossible to organise fundraising activities at the moment so we are extremely grateful to the Greater Bank for their support through the #GreaterNewEngland funding program," she said.
"This funding will make a huge difference to the vital service provided by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and ensures they can keep the lights on and continue helping those in need."
Greater Bank's Regional Manager Jennifer Smith said she was proud to see the funding program supporting a life-saving service such as the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
"As a customer-owned bank we have a strong commitment to supporting the communities that support us and the #GreaterNewEngland funding program is a wonderful example of this philosophy," she said.
"Since 2016 we have been providing these relatively small but significant funding contributions to a wide range of beneficiaries, such as schools, sporting clubs, health and community support groups, as well as arts and cultural groups."
Both runners up of the June funding round, Tamworth Can Assist and Manilla Rural Fire Brigade, will each receive a $1000 grant to go towards supporting operational costs.
The July round of the program is now open, with G.S. Kidd Memorial School, Computerbank New England and the Country Education Foundation, Gunnedah each vying for a share in the $5000 funding.
The public can cast their vote online at greater.com.au/greaternewengland or by visiting a Greater Bank branch.
Voting closes at 5pm on Wednesday, July 29.