Westpac worker gets up close to her fundraising "inspiration" Westpac rescue helicopter crewmen Ashley Baxter and Brendan Smart with Sue Pappas. Photo: Photo: Simon Schluter Sue Pappas normally spends her days in the office, but last Friday she got to spend time getting to know how the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service of Victoria operates. It was still, technically, work, though. Pappas, a development manager at Westpac, and a group of colleagues will be putting on the running shoes and taking part in The Sunday Age City2Sea, presented by Westpac, to raise money for the service. On Friday morning Pappas got to know the crew and find out first hand how the rescue service works, especially in the lead-up to its busy period, summer. I got a guided tour and it was fabulous to see all the great work they do. It's a great cause and I'm really proud to get behind it. They do outstanding work in the community. It's an inspiration," she says. Our team of runners is looking forward to getting out and giving it our best on the day. The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service conducts patrols and rescues along the Victorian coastline. The service began in 1973 with just one chopper, but now services 84 per cent of the Australian population during the summer months. There are now 16 choppers patrolling the coastline, plus two offshore rescue boats. To help kick-start donations, Westpac will be supplying staff on the day with giant novelty hands - and supporters will be encouraged to give them a high five. For every high five, the bank will donate $1. Pappas and her colleagues will be running between five and 10 kilometres in training leading up to November 16. Pappas will run 5 kilometres. "We've been training pretty strictly and been doing some personal training," she says. It was really good to change this up and work with the crew and really learn what they undertake, from a fitness point of view. The exercise was a well-timed boost, Pappas says, giving her an extra dose of inspiration to keep on track and raise as much money as possible. I'm really looking forward to crossing the finishing line. The 2014 City2Sea will be held on Sunday, November 16. So far the event has raised almost $140,000 for a variety of charities. Entries are open now, visit thecity2sea.com.au