We are proud to contribute to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service’s “Wills Week,” taking place in April 2024. Attwood Marshall Lawyers Wills and Estates and Family Law Department Manager Donna Tolley discusses the imperative work of the helicopter service and why Attwood Marshall Lawyers values partnering with this vital charity.
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service – helping keep Australians safe since 1975
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service is one of the oldest community-based helicopter rescue services globally. The service has been helping Australians when they need it most since its foundation in 1975.
Their crews draw upon extensive experience and training to respond to missions for those who are injured or requiring urgent specialist care.
From flights for babies who are just minutes old to people requiring medical treatment or trauma assistance, search and rescue missions, or to winch extractions from rugged terrain or inaccessible areas. This service is particularly close to my heart, with my daughter requiring their service a few years ago.
As the service has advanced, so too has its model of funding its operations, which is now a unique combination of government and community funding. For nearly 50 years, the people in our community, the Westpac Bank and the NSW Government have ensured that rescue helicopters can continue to provide the highest aeromedical and rescue services to those in need.
On top of its government funding, the service aims to raise $12 million each year to fund its three base operations in Belmont, Tamworth, and Lismore, through sponsorships, volunteers, support group activities, events, and partnerships with the community. These three bases have four AW139 helicopters on call, servicing 1.5 million people 24/7, 365 days a year.
The service has been shaped by local communities, for local communities.
What is Wills Week?
Over 60 law firms across Northern New South Wales and Southeast Queensland donate their time to support the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service’s annual ‘Wills Week’ initiative, which will be taking place in April 2024.
Since the promotion started on 1st February, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service has received significant interest from the public, with over $135,000 raised in booking donations already – a remarkable contribution to the charity.
Bookings are now open through the charity’s website and will close 29th February 2024.
Members of the public can book an appointment to see a lawyer to obtain advice for the drafting of a simple Will. The reduced booking fees, which for these types of consultations are $135 for a single simple Will and $250 for a couple, are donated in full to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
On Tuesday 9th April, Attwood Marshall Lawyers will be hosting a Community Wills Day at our Coolangatta office and supporting the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service to help raise vital funds for its essential operations.
The helicopter service sincerely appreciates everyone’s support and is honoured by the gifts of legacy that many people choose to also include in their Wills to the service which helps them continue saving lives across Australia.
A bequest is a deeply personal decision. The impact that a bequest can make, no matter how big or small it may be, is profound.
If you choose to leave a bequest to a charity or organisation in your Will, a qualified estate planning lawyer can ensure you draft your wish properly and your testamentary intentions will be fulfilled.
Ultimately, your support and participation in a Wills Day helps save local lives.
The importance of having a Will
Over 52% of people either don’t have a Will or haven’t updated their Will in a long time. No matter what the worth of your estate may be, everyone over the age of 18 should have a Will to protect their wishes, their family, and any gifts they intend to leave to their loved ones.
Not having a valid Will can be both financially and emotionally distressing for the loved ones left behind after you die.
Here are some of the pertinent reasons to have a Will:
- You decide how your estate will be distributed and who will benefit,
- A Will makes it easier for your spouse or children to make arrangements for your funeral and to honour your wishes,
- You have the ability to appoint your Executors and to choose someone that you trust to uphold your wishes and competently administer your estate,
- Reduce the risk of disputes between the loved ones you leave behind,
- Appoint guardians for infant children or dependants so that you know they will be taken care of,
- Avoid expensive estate administration processes and delays where there is no Will,
- Mitigate the risk of someone contesting your estate after you are gone, and draining your estate in costly litigation,
- Establish a gift or donation to a deserving charity that you are passionate about supporting.
Attwood Marshall Lawyers has been taking part in Community Wills Weeks for over 15 years. When attending a Wills day, people are getting the benefit of a professionally drafted Will at a substantially reduced price while also supporting a service that saves lives and contributes significantly to their local community.
Attwood Marshall Lawyers – Dedicated to supporting the community
Attwood Marshall Lawyers is very proud to be associated with so many respected and long-standing charities that align with our intent to help people and change their lives for the better.
If you would like to know more about the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service’s Wills Week or would like to book an appointment, you will need to contact the charity directly or visit the charity’s website. Attwood Marshall Lawyers does not handle the booking process for Wills Week.
If your needs fall outside the scope of this campaign and you would like to discuss your estate planning needs with one of our experienced Wills and Estates Lawyers, please contact our Wills and Estates Department Manager Donna Tolley on direct line (07) 5506 8241, email dtolley@attwoodmarshall.com.au or free call 1800 621 071 any time. You are also able to book an appointment with our lawyers online at your convenience.
Click here to read more about the charities and clubs Attwood Marshall Lawyers support.
