Ashford is a small town in northern New South Wales. The population of the township is around 570 with about 1300 in our post code area.
In order for community members to obtain specialist medical treatment in the closest major centres, they are required to travel a minimum of two and a half hours by road to attend any appointments. Anyone requiring specialist treatment is already under a great deal of stress and anxiety and also may not be in the best of health. For these reasons, an overnight stay in these larger centres is often required. The stress and anxiety may also be exacerbated by the time and money required for the travel and accommodation costs involved in obtaining the treatment that they require.
New England Volunteer Air Transport Incorporated (NEVAT) was formed in March 2006 and was incorporated within the same month. NEVAT was formed to help relieve the tyranny of distance for our community members who need to travel long distances to medical appointments in such places as Tamworth, Armidale and Toowoomba.
Originally inspired by the Angel Flight organisation NEVAT created a criterion that is similar but different to Angel Flight and it is a criterion that we believe well suits our areas residents. NEVAT is a truly volunteer organisation and has no paid staff. People become members of NEVAT and membership is open to everyone. People who require chemotherapy, renal or burns treatment are not required to be members to qualify for NEVAT services. NEVAT is an incorporated association under the Associations Incorporation Act 1984. If you would like to become a member of NEVAT click here.
Whilst the aircraft is based at Ashford, NEVAT also flies missions from Texas, Warialda, Glen Innes and Inverell.
We have been fortunate enough to have secured the unlimited use of a locally owned aircraft as of May 2007. Two community members came to our aid by purchasing an aircraft for NEVAT use. This aircraft is available for use by NEVAT whenever required. NEVAT will be responsible for the cost of insurance, maintenance and a very low cost per hour of flight time.
Income for NEVAT since its inception has all come from membership, fundraising and donations. Whilst our initial fundraising has concentrated mainly in the Ashford area we are now approaching Service Clubs and other organisations in surrounding areas which NEVAT is servicing, to assist us in our fundraising endeavours. We are seeking ongoing assistance as even though we have unlimited use of a locally owned aircraft, we would still like to eventually secure a suitable aircraft of our own and also operating expenses will be continuous regardless. NEVAT employs no paid staff, all support by NEVAT members is supplied on a voluntary basis, including pilots. Contractual services may be paid for when NEVAT members or equipment are unavailable.
We hold a Charitable Fundraising Authority under section 16 of the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 and have been endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient under Subdivision 30-BA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. If you wish to donate click here.