Armidale’s third annual Westpac Rescue Helicopter High Tea to be held at the Armidale Bowling Club from 2.30pm on Saturday, February 9 was booked well in advance this year as its popularity continues to grow.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With tickets costing $50, Vice chair of the Armidale Rescue Helicopter Support group Samantha Skinner said it was a good start for this year’s event.
“It will be held in the back garden of the Armidale Bowling Club and those who are attending will be greeted with a glass of champaigne on arrival,” Sam said.
ALSO READ:
“We’ve got Armidale Lawn games providing their games for people to enjoy before the high tea. Guests will be invited into the marquee that we’ll have set up to enjoy a delicious afternoon tea prepared by the Armidale Bowling Club.
“We’ll ave vintage china and pretty teacups and saucers and plates and teapots and all of the sorts things a high tea should have. In the afternoon we’ll have raffles, lucky door prizes, all sorts of things for people to enjoy while they indulge on their high tea.”
In the last two years we’ve raised just over $6000
- Sam Skinner
Sam said all funds raised on the day would go to the Tamworth Brnch of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
“The first year we raised just over $2000 and just over $4000 last year. This year we’re hoping that we might be able to raise somewhere in the region of $5000,” Sam said.
“So, the amount is going up, and this year we have sold out quite a few weeks out from the event with a waiting list of quite a few people.”
Sam said it was certainly gaining in popularity.
“People just want to support such a good cause,” she said.
“Potentially, we could need a larger venue. At the moment we can’t fit anythink more onto the space that we’ve got.
“If it keeps growing at the rate it is we may need to see if we can get a bigger marquee.”
The Rescue Helicopter has saved countless lives in the New England region and because the chopper is 100 per cent charity-based, with no government funding whatsoever, it really uis a case of “every bit helps”.
Every flight is different, but costs about $2000 an hour to keep the chopper in the air. A medical team, equipment, the travel itself are all supplied to provide emergency assistance.
Flights come at no cost to the patient only because of the community volunteering and fundraising efforts of the various support groups.
