By Jem Anshaw
The Black Coal Cup has been a fixture in the Muswellbrook charity calendar.
This year the Wespac Rescue Helicopter fundraiser has been renamed to honour the family who have dedicated close to two decades to the event.
“We are introducing the Matthews Family Cup in recognition of Joe and Margaret Matthews and their family, with the legacy that they have created with what was the Black Coal Cup that morphed into our Upper Hunter Golf Day,” Westpac Rescue Helicopter community liaison officer Danny Eather said.
“It is a nice little acknowledgement of their commitment over a long period. In their time they raised well over one million dollars through the Black Coal Cup.”
Another local that has been a long supporter of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter is Daryl Egan, CEO of the Muswellbrook RSL Club who last year experienced the benefits of the service first-hand.
“I had an ethanol burn accident the October long weekend on the Sunday night,” he said.
“You always think to yourself you will never need the helicopter, it’s just one of those things that everyone talks about.”
Within 45 minutes of the accident Darryl was at the Royal North Shore Hospital major burns unit where he spent a week being treated for burns to his face and arms.
The Muswellbrook RSL Club made a $2,000 donation towards the golf day, as well as supporting the day with a barbecue breakfast for participants.
The Matthews Family Cup Golf Day raised $30,000 through entry fees, donations and participation in various activities out on the course hosted by various sponsors of the day.
