Students gave back to the Inverell Rescue Squad after learning about the lengths emergency services go to save lives on our road.
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Over 200 students from seven schools contributed $243 to the local Volunteer Rescue Association following the ‘Don’t be a Statistic’ driver awareness day earlier this month.
Squad member John Irwin was surprised but delighted to receive the donation from Macintyre High School’s Rohan Cowley and Kelsie Julius on Wednesday.
“It’s excellent. We’re trying hard to raise money for a new larger vehicle and a faster vehicle and everything that we get is a help towards it,” he said.
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The local VRA have raised $40,000 of around $150,000 needed to upgrade from their 1996 model truck, which has racked up around 400,000 kilometres.
Macintyre’s Jane Hunter said she believed the driver awareness day did make many teens stop and think about the consequences of their actions on the road.
“Students felt supported when police and emergency services made it clear to them they are there to help, not judge; and safety is the priority,” she said.
“(I) appreciated the honesty of the presenters, particularly the emotional toll it has on them as first responders.” She said it was great to see young drivers comfortable talking to police and other emergency services.
“Hearing the safe driving message from police and first responders has more impact on our young drivers than a parent trying to do the same,” she said.