Fundraiser for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, Full Throttle, swept through Gunnedah.

Full Throttle was the brainchild of Manilla woman, Cindy Sutherland.

In 2023 Cindy’s daughter, Millie, suffered a tragic accident which turned her world upside down and left her with lifelong medical issues.

Three years on, Millie has made an incredible recovery with only some injuries still affecting her to this day.

Cindy said that without the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, she doesn’t know where they would be.

“On March 19, 2022 at 6.39pm, I received a phone call that my daughter had been in a car accident,” Cindy said.

“So thanks to Westpac, my daughter’s outcome may have been totally different than what it is now.

“We did four months in hospital, in ICU and rehab and all that and I’m just very grateful to all the emergency services that were there on that afternoon, but particularly Westpac who could get her to John Hunter in time.”

Full Throttle was a four-day motorbike ride covering 1276 km of Western NSW.

The group started from Manilla, touching on towns such as Narrabri, Moree, and Dubbo, before their last stop at Gunnedah to take on the homestretch back to Manilla.

There were 24 on the motorbikes with eight people in support vehicles.

Despite rising fuel levels, Cindy said that it didn’t have much of an effect on the ride.

“I think maybe a couple of riders may have re-evaluated their choices about coming because of fuel costs, but it was more the availability,” Cindy said.

“We did pack jerrycans before we headed off just in case we hit fuel problems on the way, but there’s been absolutely no fuel problems at all.”

Gunnedah was the last town on their list, rolling through at lunchtime on Tuesday, March 26.

The group were greeted by Gunnedah Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service volunteers where they were treated to sandwiches, slices, coffee and tea.

Millie joined in on the fundraiser, supporting the crew from one of the cars.

While Millie doesn’t remember much from her accident, she said she is grateful for all the Westpac Rescue Helicopter team did for her.

“We’ve made some new friends and travelled a lot of kilometres, it’s been very long and the furthest out west I’ve ever been, but it’s been good,” Millie said.

“[Full Throttle] is for a good cause, it’s been extremely special to help raise money.

“[Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service] has been something that’s really helped me in my recovery and without them I probably wouldn’t be here.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone that’s contributed. It’s been great, everyone has been very generous.”

Cindy’s fundraising goal was to reach $1500 to go towards the service.

Within the four days of fundraising, they were able to exceed their goal by almost 50 per cent, raising $2200.

All riders and participants were self-funded, with every donation going directly into the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

The support Cindy and the group received along the way was wonderful she said.

“It’s been an adventure and it’s been great,” Cindy said.

“The towns have been amazing with their support, people have been very generous.

“It’s definitely been trialling on the riders, 1276 kilometres is a long way to be sitting on a motorcycle, and we’ve had a couple of little breakdowns with bikes, mine being one, but otherwise it’s been a fun time.”

Cindy has hopes to continue Full Throttle annually, with plans to create a route to explore more south next year.

“We’ve had a few teething issues, but otherwise it’s run really smoothly,” Cindy said.

“We hit west this time, so next we’ll go coastal or south.

“Keep an eye out for Full Throttle and when there’s another event coming up, please come along. Everybody’s welcome.”