Maroons and Westpac help raise vital funds for Queensland choppers

Thanks to Westpac and the skills of the Queensland Maroons and Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons, the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service in Queensland is now $80,000 better off.

Westpac and Queensland Rugby League joined forces to donate $5000 to the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service in Queensland for every try scored by the Maroons in the 2024 men’s and women’s State of Origin series.

Sixteen tries were scored between the Queensland men’s and women’s sides, and 33 tries were scored across the State of Origin series – resulting in a total of $165,000 being donated to the Westpac rescue helicopters across Queensland and New South Wales.

The funding will help support the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service with resourcing, equipment and training ahead of summer.

Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service chief pilot Andrew McNeilly said "we are incredibly grateful to Westpac for their ongoing support of the Service in Queensland".

"The additional $80,000 donation will contribute to enhancing our reach and potentially save more lives which is fantastic," McNeilly said.

QRL CEO Ben Ikin said Queenslanders were immensely proud of their Origin teams.

“Our Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons fought their way to a remarkable victory in the first ever three-match women’s Origin series, and our men were brave in a fiercely contested decider,” Ikin said.

“It warms the heart that long after the full-time siren our Maroons are still having an impact on the lives of Queenslanders through this vital community service provided by Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service.”

Westpac's state general manager for Queensland Greg Crocombe said Westpac was incredibly proud of their partnership with the Maroons and the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service.

"Helping to provide training and new equipment, this funding will make a difference to the helicopter crew already preparing for another busy summer,” Crocombe said.

“It costs about $10,000 to outfit one crew member with uniforms, helmets and safety equipment, and about $5000 for every flight hour, meaning every dollar counts."

The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service operates two helicopters across the South East Queensland coast, carrying out beach surveillance, shark warnings, preventative actions, missing person searches and rescues in the water and on land.