Newcastle community icons to benefit from charity partnership

Supercars Australia has announced a partnership with three leading Newcastle community organisations as the official charity partners of the 2017 Coates Hire Newcastle 500.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, Nobbys Beach Surf Lifesaving Club and Newcastle Beach Surf Lifesaving Club will be the official co-charity partners for the inaugural event to be staged from 24-26 November.

As part of the partnership, tickets, grid walks and other experiences will be on offer with all funds raised divided between the three charity partners. The inaugural Newcastle 500 Grand Final Breakfast will be a highlight on the calendar.

Supercars CEO James Warburton said the sport was delighted to be working alongside some of Newcastle’s iconic community services.

"These three local partners provide crucial services for the Newcastle community and we’re incredibly proud to be supporting the tireless work they do”, said Warburton.

"By working with these organisations we can assist with fund raising activities and awareness, giving back to the community that will host our final event of the year."

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service CEO Richard Jones said; "we are pleased to have been selected alongside Nobbys Surf Life Saving Club and Newcastle Beach Surf Lifesaving Club as the charity partners for the Coates Hire Newcastle 500.

"Our dedicated Rescue Helicopter Volunteers will be onsite every day at the event to collect donations and sell merchandise to event goers, with all proceeds going straight back to support the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service," he said.

The oldest Surf Life Saving Club in the Hunter Branch, Newcastle SLSC and its neighbours Nobbys SLSC have been providing volunteer life-saving services to the community and visitors for decades.

Newcastle Beach SLSC President Brad Kinniard said the club was looking forward to the Coates Hire Newcastle 500 and being one of the events charity partners.

"Our club sees many benefits for the city of Newcastle in hosting such a major event," he said.

"The members of Newcastle Surf Club look forward to working with Supercars to make this an overwhelming success."

Narelle Blick, Nobbys Beach SLSC President echoed those thoughts.

"The Newcastle 500 is going to be a fantastic event for our city and we are excited to be joining with Supercars and the other partners to showcase Newcastle and our great community.

"Raising funds for our club will benefit the local community in helping us continue to provide the services we do to keep our beaches safe for everyone."

Supercars driver David Reynolds was on hand today to help launch the partnership.

"We are all pumped to be coming to Newcastle for the inaugural Newcastle 500 and are looking forward to helping the local services raise awareness and make as much money as they can," said Reynolds.

"We probably take for granted many of our local services, but you never know when you may need them. To know that the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and the Surf Lifesaving Clubs are on hand saving lives shows what a vital part of the community they are."

The Coates Hires Newcastle 500 is supported by Destination New South Wales and Newcastle City Council as a major regional event which will drive significant visitation and economic benefit to the communities of Newcastle and the Hunter.

The Coates Hire Newcastle 500 will be held in Newcastle from 24-26 November. Tickets will be on sale to local residents for the first time at a Supercars Community Fun Day on Saturday April 29 from 10am-2pm at Foreshore Park.

Local residents will be able to purchase tickets before they go on general sale as well as meet the Supercars drivers and join in free fun activities for the family.