Mr Lee was holidaying with his wife Belinda and then four-year-old son Connor at Treachery Beach at Seal Rocks.

While Mrs Lee and Connor soaked up the summer sun, Mr Lee went for a surf.

Little did he know that only several minutes later he would be leaving the surf, the summer sun and his holiday.

Mr Lee hit his head and his shoulder was split open while in the surf.

He said he did not know what had happened.

“I took off on a wave and there was a young girl learning how to surf next to me, her board hit my shoulder and opened it up,” Mr Lee said.

Although he was concussed, he managed to make his way back to the shore.

Beach-goers called an ambulance but the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called soon after due to access problems through the sand dunes.

Mr Lee said if it was not for the helicopter, he would not have been able to get to the John Hunter Hospital as quick as he did.

“The service is extremely important and a lot of people would die without it,” he said.

Mrs Lee agrees. She was grateful for the helicopter service and its help.

“I saw him floundering in the water, and then when he came back to the sand and collapsed, I just panicked,” Mrs Lee said.

The couple is so appreciative that Mr Lee’s sign and graphics business Big Colour Visual is donating $1 from every sign sold.

The community can also show its appreciation for the service by taking part in this year’s Ducks4Dollars.

On Australia Day, January 26, little rubber ducks will colour Queens Wharf in Newcastle yellow as the race is on to see, which is the fastest duck.

The fundraiser is in its seventh year and aims to raise money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and Hunter Surf Life Saving clubs to continue their work to save lives.

A duck can be purchased from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service’s base at Broadmeadow, Hunter Westpac branches or Hunter Surf Life Saving clubs.

Ducks are $5 each, $20 for five or $35 for 10 ducks.

The person of the winning duck receives $3000, second $1000 and third $500.

Businesses are also encouraged to get behind the fundraiser by buying a corporate red duck for $100 dollars.

Prizes for the winning corporate duck include a behind the scenes tour of Taronga Park Zoo, a Moonshadow Cruise at Port Stephens for 10 people and a Newcastle Knights corporate box for 10 people at a Knights game.

For more information about Ducks4Dollars phone 4961 4533.