Today is the annual Rescue Day appeal for the Westpac Life Saver Helicopter. If you were needing a reason or an extra push to donate today, you need to read Kirsty Stephenson's story.

In January 2019, Kirsty and her husband Stephen were travelling along Summerland Way when Stephen had a heart attack killing him instantly. Kirsty grabbed the wheel to stop the car hitting a tree that she says would have killed her. The car crashed head on into another vehicle where Kirsty suffered horrific injuries.

• The seat belt cut Kirsty from sternum to her belly button requiring 40 staples to the stomach.
• Nicks and cuts to all internal organs.
• All her ribs were broken and displaced.
• Shattered femur that required a 12 inch rod to be inserted.
• Both feet and toes fractured.
• Fractured jaw and chin.
• Both lungs collapsed.
• Swelling and bleeding on the brain which led to multiple strokes.
• Blind in her left eye for 10 days.
• Paralysed down her left hand side.

You start to get a picture of how serious and life threatening Kirsty's injuries were.

(Kirsty in hospital. Photo: supplied)

Kirsty was airlifted to the Gold Coast University Hospital. She was placed in a coma for two weeks before she began the long road to recovery. She had to learn to walk again but only when she could sit in a chair for 10-20 minutes first. "The pain was excruciating", Kirsty said, "the first time they put me in the chair I passed out. It was much worse than child birth". The pain caused by the horrific injuries listed above especially all her broken ribs.

(Kirsty taking the agonising steps to walk again. Photo: supplied)

Fast forward eight months and Kirsty walks into the Lismore helibase with her daughter Kristal to say thank you to the Westpac Life Saver Helicopter team.

The team were in awe of her strength and will power to overcome such incredible odds. "I took it one

Kirsty still suffers from short term memory problems and still has ongoing vision issues that should correct themselves.

Kirsty explained that if it wasn't for the rescue chopper she would have died. "The ambulance team resuscitated me twice on scene then the helicopter team resuscitated me two or three times".

(Kirsty Stephenson cutting the Rescue Day cake with Westpac Branch Manager Kerry Bradshaw and Patron of the Lismore Westpac Life Saver Helicopter Ken Jolley OAM)

This is why todays Rescue Day appeal is such an important day for Zeke Huish (regional Marketing Manager) and his team. Only a short time ago the Westpac Life Saver Helicopter flew its ten thousandth (10,000) mission saving peoples lives and rescuing people from dangerous situations over the last thirty years.

Zeke said that today was a day for the Westpac Helicopter team to say thank you to the community that generously donate to keep them on standby 24/7. "Each year the community helps us raise over $3.5 million", he said, "Today is about the community getting behind the helicopter. We appreciate that people are doing it tough and we appreciate even a dollar today will help us keep flying".

Today is one of the biggest fundraising days of the year and even more so in 2020 due to the amount of fund raising events that have had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 restrictions, events such as the annual Leisure Show.

How can you donate today and in the future?

Pop into your local Westpac branch at 65 Molesworth Street, Lismore or visit the helirescue website or look out for red and white buckets on the streets.

The final word goes to Kirsty Stephenson, "even if it is just $1 or 50 cents, every cent counts to keep our helicopter in the sky".