Supporting local emergency services and not-for-profits

Supporting local emergency services and not-for-profits

The cheques are in the mail for five not-for-profit organisations with Byron Shire Council allocating $22,900 for their ongoing work in its budget for 2020/21.

The recipients are:

  • Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter – $5,200
  • Brunswick Valley Rescue – $5,200
  • Brunswick Volunteer Marine Rescue – $5,200
  • North Coast Academy of Sport – $4,000
  • Tweed-Byron Life Education – $3,300

Byron Shire Mayor, Simon Richardson, said the donations from Council were recognition of the immense benefit these organisations bring to the community in terms of emergency help, education and sporting opportunities for young people.

“We are very fortunate to have Brunswick Valley Rescue and Brunswick Valley Marine Rescue operating in our Shire and over the years these organisations have saved many lives and this is a very small way that Council, on behalf of the community can say thank you,” Mayor Richardson said.

“Council is also a proud supporter of the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter which serves the entire northern NSW area providing emergency medical support and the ability to transfer patients in need of critical care to other hospitals,” he said.

In March this year the Lismore based Rescue Helicopter Service performed its 10,000th mission since it started here in the Northern Rivers in 1982.

“None of the life saving outcomes that have been achieved over the past 38 years would have been possible without the support of the community, sponsors and Local Government donations like the annual support we receive from Byron Shire Council,” Zeke Huish, Regional Marketing Manager for the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, said.

“We can’t express our appreciation enough to the Council, and its staff who donate from their pay, for their continued support that ensures we can be on standby 24/7 for the residents and visitors of the Byron Shire,” he said.

In the last ten years Council has contributed $210,000 to these not-for-profit organisations to enable them to continue their work to support residents in the Byron Shire.

/Public Release. View in full here.