The Honda Foundation Powers Landscaping Of Rescue Helicopter Base

TULLAMARINE, AUSTRALIA – January 31, 2011: The Honda Foundation and Tamworth’s Woodley Honda have donated more than $4,000 worth of Honda power products to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

The equipment will assist with the establishment and maintenance of the grounds around the new Tamworth helicopter base, which houses on-site accommodation for medical staff together with a new hangar and engineering facilities, allowing for improved emergency response times.

The Honda products have already been put to work, with the rescue team of pilots, crew and volunteers assisting in landscaping the new base and hanger facility.

Chairman of The Honda Foundation, Mr. Lindsay Smalley commended the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service for its ongoing assistance to rural communities of New South Wales.

“Rescue helicopters are a necessity in regional Australia. The Honda Foundation is proud to assist the Tamworth base improve its ability to deliver services across the New England and North West Region,” Mr. Smalley said.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service offers transportation for patients in remote areas who require specialist treatment that can’t be achieved in the local area and transports doctors and paramedics to accident scenes in times of emergency.

In large scale emergencies, the service is also used as a water bomber in bushfires, during flood evacuations and for food drops. In the event an air or sea craft goes missing, the helicopter service aids search teams.

Michelle Simpson, Community Liaison Officer Tamworth, said the team was excited to receive the Honda products to landscape the new base, almost as excited about the new base itself.

“We never charge for our services, so donations are always central to the financial stability of our service,” Mrs. Simpson said.

The Honda Foundation aims to provide assistance to local communities and foster goodwill among Honda Australia, Honda Motor Vehicle Dealers and the public. It draws funding from Honda Dealers and Honda Australia who donate $15 ($5 and $10 respectively) for every Honda car sold.

For more information on The Honda Foundation and the organisations it supports, please visit www.hondafoundation.org.au