Ride for the Chopper raises money for Westpac Helicopter

The annual mountain bike road started in Dubbo and tours through Gilgandra, Tooraweenah, Baradine, Coonabarabran and Gunnedah before finishing in Tamworth.

It’s a long, uphill battle stretching close to 700km.

In its sixteenth year, the ride has raised just on $990,000, with over 650 riders taking part and thousands of kilometres ridden.

This year’s ride has already raised $30,369.

The Northern Daily Leader’s senior journalist, Breanna Chillingworth, is participating in the ride. 

The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter has been saving lives since 1975, performing about 1000 missions every year.

Today, the service includes four helicopters operating across the Hunter, New England – North West, Central Coast and Mid North Coast regions.

But that number is soon to rise as new choppers are set to land in the first quarter of next year. 

The new helicopter was officially handed over by Lease Corporation International (LCI) in a ceremony in Italy and is now on its way to Australia. 

Four Agusta Westland AW139 aircraft will come into service in the first quarter of 2017, after undergoing final fitout and training regimes. 

The new helicopters are larger than the existing Bell 412 and BK117 aircraft flown from bases in Newcastle, Tamworth and Lismore and were a requirement under the new contract issued by the NSW government. 

Money from this year’s Ride for the Chopper will go towards keeping choppers in flight to help save lives.

The most important message organisers promote to those participating is that it’s not a race but an introduction to mountain bike riding over distance.

The challenge is to ride every kilometre every day, as well as receiving awards and enjoying themed nights, games and activities.

Day riders are also encouraged to join.

To sponsor a rider or donate to the cause, visit https://rideforthechopper2016.gofundraise.com.au/