If so, you will be pleasantly delighted to discover that you could become a member of the Armidale Support Group for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service - and it won’t eat into your time.

In fact, the group meets mostly just once a month and generally for just an hour.

The rewards of membership are many - you’ll get to make new friends in a small but fun group and importantly, you’ll be helping to raise funds for the New England North West Rescue Helicopter.

So don’t delay, call support group chairperson Pam Wilby during business hours on 6772-1400.

And don’t panic - the group has just held its AGM and all the positions have been filled so the group is just keen to hear from prospective new members.

The group organises two main fundraising events a year - the ever popular Westpac Rescue Helicopter Ball and a golf day.

Last year, these two events generated some $30,000 and a cheque for this amount was handed over to Barry Walton from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service during a visit to Armidale.

Plans are now progressing for the 2008 ball and golf day.

The ball will be held on August 30 at the Armidale Bowling Club, with tickets going on sale from July 14. The ball is one of the feature social events on the Armidale calendar and as such the tickets are generally snapped up quickly so people are asked to start thinking about their tables now to avoid the disappointment of missing out on the big night.

The entertainment this year will again be Tex Message, but with a new lead singer, Jack Vivers.

Tickets will be priced at $80, and include a two-course meal, wine and beer and great live music.

The golf day will be held on October 10 at the Armidale course.

Meanwhile, at last week’s AGM the following office bearers were elected: chairperson Pam Wilby, secretary Leonie McKay, treasurer John Murrell, publicity officer Christian Knight and social director Louise Buchanan.