The local branch of the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) set out to raise $150,000 at the beginning of this year, to upgrade from their 1996 model truck, which has racked up around 400,000 kilometres. They have raised nearly $60,000 so far. 

“On behalf of BEST Community Shed, we are really proud to make this donation to the Inverell Rescue Squad. It’s a wonderful organisation and it provides such a fabulous service to our community,” BEST Employment chief executive officer Penny Alliston-Hall said. 

“The volunteers all work very hard in the BEST Community Shed to be able to make these donations and support our community.”

Inverell Rescue Squad member John Irwin said the group was “very fortunate” to have so much support from the local community, which has helped them progress quickly in their quest to raise $150,000.

The 1996 truck is not usually the first on the scene, but as it is bigger than the VRA’s main vehicle, it has a larger capacity for heavy duty tools and motorised equipment. Mr Irwin said the current truck is “very slow” and unreliable.

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”We’re looking at a truck that’ll be much faster, much more modern. It’s a new truck and it would be easier to drive and much more reliable,” he said.

The VRA’s main role is releasing people who are trapped in vehicle accidents. They also perform animal rescues, land searches and assist Inverell’s ambulance services in various emergencies. 

BEST community programs co-ordinator Brett Hawkins said most Inverell families have benefited from the Inverell Rescue Squad’s presence. He said BEST seeks to minimise disadvantage in the Inverell community, and felt the VRA’s services had a wide impact. 

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He said BEST’s altruism was “run off the back of our volunteers”. 

“(The donations is) credit to all of our volunteers, and we’ve got 60 of them at the moment, which is just amazing for a town like Inverell. They love doing what they’re doing. They know they can make a difference in someone’s life,” Mr Hawkins said. 

Inverell Rescue Squad currently has seven trained members and five trainees, and are always looking for more. Trainee Sam Pierce took it up to “get out of the house” and keep occupied while out of work, and said it was well worth it. 

“I enjoy it, I really do,” he said.

The squad meets every Wednesday night at 37 Medora Street and does training on a Saturday morning once every month. Locals are welcome to come along to express their interest in joining.