The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service is deployed to hundreds of missions across the New England and North West region every year.
At every hour of every day, pilots, crew members, paramedics and doctors are ready to take the call and fly to communities, including Narrabri, to respond to incidents and conduct inter-hospital transfers to ensure people can get the medical attention they need in their time of need.
For the Simpson family, of Narrabri, the life-saving role of the rescue helicopter hits close to home on many fronts.
Parents Emily and Ben Simpson are forever grateful for the two occasions the service roared into action to transport their son Cohen in critical situations.
Cohen, now aged eight-years-old, was born prematurely at 33 weeks, however, had stopped growing at 27 weeks and was considered a micro-premature baby.
Cohen had a challenging start to life, born with 13 birth defects and multiple medical conditions requiring frequent medical attention and surgeries.
Mum Emily, who recently joined the Narrabri support group, wants to give back to the service which provided life-saving attention and transport to her son.
Cohen is now a happy, healthy child who loves school and life.
“For everything he went through in the first few years of his life, he’s really come out on top,” Emily said.
He still requires medical appointments every two to three months as well as surgeries once or twice a year, however, it is not the same intensity as the earlier part of his life.
While the experience of having a child requiring immediate, emergency care was harrowing, the care and support provided by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service is something the Simpson family will remember forever.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service was there for the Simpson family’s time in need when it conveyed Cohen on two separate occasions.
“The helicopter crew were amazing to deal with,” Emily said.
Cohen’s parents were with him right until he was placed in the helicopter.
The level of communication provided by the service provided the Simpsons with reassurance.
“They explained the whole process and what would happen on the flight,” Emily said.
That communication process occurred from start to finish, with the Simpsons advised when Cohen had arrived at the John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle.
Emily’s father-in-law and brother-in-law also required assistance from the helicopter adding to the family’s gratitude for the service’s presence across northern NSW.
“You don’t know when you’re going to need the service,” Emily said.
“To have that service ready to go, it is so vital.”
The Simpsons’ experiences with the helicopter started eight years ago, however, the connection continues with invitations to Rescue Club events and the occasional check-in to see how Cohen has progressed.
Emily has encouraged people to support the service wherever they can, be it as a support group volunteer, committee member or supporting events.
“Collectively, as a group of people we can do so much,” she said.
“The funds that one community can raise makes a difference.”
Service’s role showcased at Rescue Club gatherings
For Narrabri Shire, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was deployed to the area for 35 missions in the past year. The important role of the service was celebrated at Rescue Club gatherings at bases in Tamworth, Lismore and Belmore.
Jeff Galbraith, event coordinator and NENW team leader, acknowledged that the Rescue Club visits to the base can be therapeutic to some and confronting to others.
“The Rescue Club allows past patients to have involvement with the service as much or as little as they like,” he said.
Jeff praised the important role of the 17 support groups operating across the New England and North West.
“Our volunteers are incredibly important,” he said. “We are eternally grateful for the time they put in.”
At Sunday’s Rescue Club event, he explained the manpower the service boasts in Tamworth – five pilots, five crew members, 12 to 14 doctors on rotation and six paramedics.
For the Tamworth base alone, $2.4 million needs to be raised each year from naming rights sponsors and fundraising efforts.
Jeff said the service is grateful for the support received and the money is spent respectfully and wisely with the community in mind.
Former long-serving service chief executive officer Richard Jones, who is now the head of community engagement, explained the service’s early days and its evolution into the comprehensive organisation it is today.
“We’re servicing our community and the community supports us,” Richard said.
Richard also praised the work of support groups across the regions.
“They are our eyes and ears,” he said.
“It’s not our money, it’s the community’s money.”
To order photos from this page click here