Coates Hire fulfilled the wish of a Winmalee resident who had lost her home in the recent devastating bushfires that wreaked havoc on the communities dotted throughout the Blue Mountains.

Standing between the fires and a potential catastrophe of the 1,000 plus streets that needed defending were the region’s volunteer firefighters from 23 Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigades with around 50 fire tankers. However, despite the best efforts of the RFS, Karen Bousfield from Winmalee lost her home. Like so many others, she and husband Paul are now rebuilding their lives and their wishes.

One wish that came true for V8 Supercar fan Karen was a fast lap of the Olympic Park street circuit in the Red Bull Racing Commodore with champion driver Craig Lowndes thanks to Coates Hire and radio station 2GB.

Leading up to the big race, Coates Hire also donated $3,000 to the Rural Fire Service towards the purchase of GPS tracking devices for the firefighting trucks located in the Blue Mountains.

Flanked by the staff from Coates Hire Seven Hills branch and motor racing stars Nick Percat and John Bowe, Group Manager - Strategic Marketing at Coates Hire, Jeremy Hill presented the donation to Superintendent David Jones, Rural Fire Service, Blue Mountains District Manager.

On receiving the cheque David Jones said the donation is recognition of the fact that the Rural Fire Services is made up of volunteers who give so much. Coates Hire often assists authorities in disaster events through the provision of equipment hire and by offering emergency assistance as required.

During the Blue Mountains bushfire emergency Coates Hire staff worked around the clock to supply equipment to Rural Fire Service depots and staging areas from Bilpin through the Blue Mountains and up the Putty Road to Bulga.