Ampcontrol has extended its major community partnership with Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service at the A-League Men’s Newcastle Jets First Responders- Appreciation Round.
Ampcontrol Managing Director & CEO, Rod Henderson met with Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service CEO, Richard Jones before the First Responders Appreciation Round game to announce the sponsorship renewal.
Richard Jones said that the support received from Ampcontrol and other corporate supporters provides vital funds that sponsor ongoing training, equipment, and resources to perform approximately 1,500 missions per year.
“As a business with over 1000 employees, we understand how important the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service is too large employers such as ourselves, our people, and the communities in which we live and serve,” Richard said.
“Over the years, many of our people and their loved ones have benefited from the services of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and we are so fortunate that this service and their amazing crew are available to help our own in times of critical need.
“We are extremely proud to be extending our financial support and commitment today as we recognise and appreciate the incredible work carried out by all first responders in our community, knowing that our support saves local lives including our own people.”
Ampcontrol witnessed the vital lifesaving services of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter service after one of their employees required urgent transport following a serious motor vehicle accident while driving on a country road in North-western NSW, resulting in months of rehabilitation in hospital.
In February 2022, Zac Picton, an Ampcontrol Field Service Technician, was driving from Gunnedah to Newcastle when he had a collision with a truck travelling in the opposite direction.
Thankfully due to the dedicated work of first responders including the Volunteer Rescue Association members of Gunnedah; Police, Fire, and Ambulance from Quirindi and Gunnedah, and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, Zac was quickly airlifted to John Hunter Hospital.
Without the efforts of the first responders, Zac would not have survived. After an extended period in the Intensive Care Unit and over eight months of rehabilitation, Zac returned to work in November 2022.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and all the first responders. Without their quick response, it could have been a very different outcome,” Zac said.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service has been operating for over 45 years, providing 24-7 aeromedical services with crews delivering urgent medical treatment and assisting with search and rescues, often performing extractions in remote locations.
Ampcontrol is a Major Sponsor of the Newcastle Jets and used the First Responders – Appreciation Round as an opportunity to combine their support of both the Newcastle Jets and Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service while showing appreciation to local first responders who put themselves at risk to save others.
Each year the Service organises many fundraising events across Northern NSW to help reach its annual community fundraising goal which assists in the funding of four base operations in Belmont, Broadmeadow, Tamworth, and Lismore NSW.
Ampcontrol’s sponsorship will be used to support more than ten fundraising events across Northern NSW including the Ampcontrol Origin Legends Golf Day & Dinner at Cypress Lakes in June and our inaugural Newcastle Harbour Regatta next month.
IMAGE | Ampcontrol Managing Director & CEO, Rod Henderson and Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service CEO, Richard Jones with Westpac volunteers at announcement of partnership renewal at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle.
