RACQ CQ RESCUE Helicopter Service

About RACQ CQ RESCUE

The Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (RACQ CQ RESCUE) plays a vital role in the community by providing rapid medical assistance to those in need in the hope of reducing the likelihood of permanent impairment. The prompt medical assistance offered by RACQ CQ RESCUE is designed to lessen the prolonged effect of trauma our patients suffer as a result of illness and injury.

CQ RESCUE was established in 1994 when a group of people decided there was a need for a Mackay based helicopter rescue service.

The first mission flown by the crew of CQ RESCUE was to Hayman Island on 1st September 1996. Since this time, the RACQ CQ RESCUE team has flown well over 4000 missions.

Air crewmen and pilots are on-call 24 hours a day to attend to tasks usually within - but not restricted to - a 300km radius from Mackay. This area extends north to Bowen and south to St Lawrence and includes the majority of the mining towns in the Bowen Basin as well as the Whitsunday Islands. RACQ CQ RESCUE has flown missions as far north as Cooktown and as far south as Bundaberg. A doctor and intensive care paramedic are also assigned to RACQ CQ RESCUE and generally make up a crew of four on each mission.

Annual operational costs are approximately $4.9million. The annual operational figure fluctuates according to the level of tasking.

Major sponsors provide magnificent contributions to our service. These sponsors include: Naming Rights Sponsor - RACQ; Platinum Partners - BMA (BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance), CFMEU, G & S Engineering & Xstrata; Major Sponsors - Arrow Energy, Best Tractor Parts, Hamilton Island, Isaac Regional Council, Leighton Contractors, Macarthur Coal, Mackay Regional Council, McDonalds (Mackay & Airlie Beach), Peabody, Queensland Government, Rio Tinto and Thiess Services.

The balance of funding is contributed through financial support from our generous community during our annual appeals, payroll contributions, the Rescue 100 Club’s business donations and fundraising events.

RACQ CQ RESCUE is an Australian Public Company and is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient. Donations of $2 or more per annum are Tax Deductible.