Central Queensland University staff members are invited to participate in the payroll contribution scheme for the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service.

The Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service is a community-funded service and is offered to everyone in Central Queensland.

Executive officer for the service Kay Becker said the service received limited funding from the Queensland Government and therefore relied heavily on sponsorship, payroll contributors and donations to keep the service as a “free to all” service.

It costs $3 000 per hour and $900 000 a year to keep the service in the air.

“Many people believe their annual Queensland Ambulance subscription covers our costs, unfortunately this is not the case, and our service is free to any person who needs to use it,” Ms Becker said.

Payroll contributions are tax deductible and on 30 June each year contributors are sent a receipt of their contributions for their tax returns.

From St Lawrence in the north to Bundaberg in the south and Emerald in the west, and further a field as needed, the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service provides a high quality aero-medical rescue helicopter service to the people of the region.

The service is available to all persons wherever lives are in danger, 24 hours per day, every day of the year.

If you join the payroll contribution cheme you can help your community, maybe even yourself, someone you love, or one of your work mates, simply by donating a small amount of your fortnightly wage (eg $2) to the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service.

If you would like to take part in this worthwhile scheme, contact CQU Payroll on 2062, 9652 or 9764 to receive a payroll deduction authority form. Please note the University requires at least 10 people to participate before payroll deductions can begin.