Surf lifesavers have always been ready to answer our call for help, and now there are 250,000 reasons for the community to answer their call this surf season.

From today, beachgoers can help their local surf club generate much needed funding via the “Answer the Call” program.

Customers who connect to an eligible Next G™ Mobile Phone Plan or BigPond™ Broadband service will be eligible to receive a free Surf Life Saving sun shelter while Telstra will contribute $30 to the customer’s nominated participating local surf life saving club*.

Telstra has pledged up to $250,000 this season to assist surf life saving clubs nationally through the “Answer the Call” program.

SLSWA Marketing & Partnerships Manager, Scott Hine said monies directed to surf clubs by Telstra will be warmly received.

“All monies will go towards purchasing new rescue equipment  which will help keep families and surfers safe at the beach,” said Hine.

“Surf lifesavers are always there to help us when needed. Now Telstra, together with the community, can provide clubs with the funding to purchase the best, most modern surf lifesaving equipment available,” said Hine.

“The challenge for the community this season is to surpass last season’s total and I am hopeful that locals will once again respond to the call,” said Hine.

Last season, over 34,000 surf lifesavers conducted 10,600 rescues, 21,800 first aid services and 208,000 preventative actions at beaches around Australia.

Over 560,000 lives have been saved since the formation of the original surf lifesaving association in 1907.

Apart from the “Answer the Call” program, Telstra also assists Surf Life Saving through the Telstra Beach to Bush surf safety program and is a team sponsor of the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Ironman Series.

*Contribution offer ends 30/06/2010 or until the contribution cap is reached.   Beach sun shelter offer ends 30/06/2010 or while stocks last.  Eligible services are a new Next G™ mobile service on a $30 Phone Plan or above for 24 months (min cost on $30 Phone Plan is $720 plus usage charges) or a new BigPond® Broadband service (ADSL or Wireless) for 12 months.

In Summary:

The Offer:
Telstra is working in collaboration with Surf Life Saving and local surf life saving clubs to offer much needed support.  When customers go to a participating retailer & connect to an eligible Next G™ Mobile Phone Plan or BigPond™ Broadband service they will be eligible to receive a Gift with Purchase (sun shelter) and a Contribution of $30 will be made by Telstra to their Nominated surf live saving club.

Campaign Dates:
The campaign runs from 01/10/2009 to 30/06/2010* 
* Whilst stocks last or until contribution cap of 250,000 is reached

Locations:
The promotion will occur at participating Telstra retailers throughout WA.