It comes after the squad asked council to buy it a new four-wheel drive and launched a GoFundMe page to pay for a new rescue boat.

Windscreen Doctor owner Neil MacLean said he had put his hand in his own pocket and wanted others to do the same.

“I get on very well with the manager at Windscreens O’Brien and told him if he pledged we would, so we’ve both tipped in $400 each,” Mr MacLean said.

“If other businesses kick in a couple of hundred dollars each we could all help solve the problem.”

Squad captain Tim Lidden said the response to their latest round of fundraising appeals had been pretty good.

“We’ve been approached by a few people and we hope others can follow suit wherever they can,” Mr Lidden said.

“These donations are pretty important, the time we spend fundraising keeps us from our training and our families.

“We’re all volunteers, we can be called upon at any time to assist police at a car accident or with a river search, we do it to help the community but it’s nice to get a bit back.”

Martin Gregory, Wagga Rescue Squad’s treasurer, said the organisation cost about $12,000 a year to run, but it only got $3600 in government grants.

“That remaining $8500 or so comes from community fundraising – selling raffle tickets, hosting trivia nights or selling sausages down at Bunnings,” Mr Gregory said.

“There’s been huge community support since we put the call out, lots of people probably didn’t realise just what we do and we really need to thank them for their support and generosity.”

Like many rescue squad volunteers, Mr Gregory had spent more than his fair share of long hours away from home.

“You can get called out to a job from work, be there all night then go back to work with zero sleep,” he said.

“Wagga employers are fantastic in letting the volunteers go when they need to – we couldn’t operate without businesses releasing their employees.”

Mr MacLean said the rescue squad was too important not to support.

“If you or your loved ones get trapped they’re the first ones there to help and they don’t get paid for it,” he said.

“I know a few members and they’ve told me how they struggle for money – we don’t want to lose them – and Wagga’s big enough to lend a hand.”

To donate to the rescue squad’s boat appeal, visit www.gofundme.com/help-wagga-rescue-squad-stay-afloat.