Various new faces were seen in town when the annual Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Alive and Well Ride for the Chopper crew passed through. 

The group of 70 riders, some dressed in rather interesting costumes, cycled into town last Tuesday evening to spend the night before setting off on one of their toughest legs of the journey early Wednesday morning. 

From Scone, the team and their support crew set off to the east through Gundy, Moonan Flat and Ellerston before embarking on the trek up and over the top through Glenrock Station and Barry Station before descending on Nundle, and then back to the finish at Tamworth. 

The seven day trek started at Mudgee and saw the riders travel across 620 kilometres to Gulgong, Merriwa, Scone and then beyond. 

This was the 15th year the ride has been held to raise vital funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

Among the riders were locals from the Tamworth area, as well as cyclists from Queensland, Illawarra and other regions of the state.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service community liaison officer Michael Wilson said being the 40th anniversary of the service and the 15th year the ride has occurred, it was a special one to be a part of. 

Mr Wilson himself has rode in the cycle for the past seven years and said it is a great way to raise funds for the chopper.

“It’s all about getting involved in the community and sharing the love, which is why we have all levels of riders from brand new             riders to professional racers.

“We have truck drivers, business people and people with children at home that take part, as you never know who might need the chopper or when they may need it,” he said. 

“We look close to raising more than $100,000 again this year, which is great as, given that it costs $3000 each time the chopper goes up, that saves 30 people’s lives.”