Chopper Fundraiser Strays Off Course
Newcastle Herald
Saturday February 27, 1999
A TELEMARKETING `error' has seen a Sydney-based helicopter rescue service breach an agreement not to solicit funds in the Hunter Valley, raising the ire of the Hunter Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
Careflight Operations executive director Ian Badham said `human error' had resulted in phone calls being made in the Newcastle area on Wednesday.
The telemarketing company offered a Red Baron doll or a koala for $39 plus postage.
Mr Badham said phone calls had inadvertently been made to homes in Charlestown, Waratah and Lambton.
`We will make every effort, as much as humanly possible, to ensure this doesn't happen again,' Mr Badham said.
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service general manager Richard Jones said it wasn't the first time the Hunter had been `invaded'.
`Local people want to donate to a local charity and they can get quite upset when they find out that an error has been made,' Mr Jones said.
© 1999 Newcastle Herald