Throughout the year the weekly craft group holds several fund-raisers to support the emergency service. Last year it donated $10,000. With just over two months until the year is up, the group has raised $9000.

The arts and craft expo is one of the group's biggest events.

Hundreds turned out for this year's expo, which focused on Christmas craft. There were beanies, clothing, jewellery, cards and plenty of other nifty knitted items up for grabs.

Apart from raising money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, the expo generates a small amount of pocket money for the stallholders who have donated their time to the event.

Betty Stephenson has been a member of the craft group for 18 years. She joined to learn how to crochet and went on to teach Brazilian embroidery to the other members.

Mrs Stephenson is one of thousands of members who have been gathering over the past 40 years to swap stories, share a few laughs and learn new things.

She said she was happy to help out for such a great cause and do what she loved at the same time.