The day raised in excess of $5500 for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

It costs around $11 million a year to keep the helicopters and their crews in the Hunter - Central Coast - Mid North Coast - New England - North West able to respond when needed.

The event was organised by Terry and Helen Cousin, Kylie Bodiam and Richard Barry to raise money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter’s annual West’s Cycle Classic.

This is an eight day escorted push bike ride departing from Cessnock on March 21, 2010 travelling through Singleton and tackling the Barrington Tops and Murrurundi Ranges along the way.

The ride will end in Tamworth with a fun night to celebrate everyone’s riding achievements and help the Rescue Helicopter Northern Region Division’s ‘10 years of operation’ celebrations.

All four organisers will participate in the ride, Both Terry and Helen cycle while Kylie and Richard have the enviable task of catering for over 80 riders and support crew along the way.

This is the first year that Tony and Philippa Charles-worth have been on board as the Golf Day Major Sponsors and both are delighted to be associated with such a community minded service.

The entire Century 21 Charlesworth team was present on the day to hand out goodie bags, serve drinks from their marquee and run some trivia and nearest the present prize incentives to help make it a fun golfing day.

All have been involved obtaining donations to make the event a success and we would like to thank all of those who helped make the day a triumph considering the sweltering conditions.

The 2009 West’s Cycle Classic event raised over $120,000 for their ride this year and they are eager to better this amount in 2010.

If anyone is interest in becoming a “Riders Sponsor” or would like to make a donation to the Cycle Classic event they can contact Helen on 0407 723899.

All monies raised from this event is passed on to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.