Bangor Savings Bank has invested $75,000 in LifeFlight of Maine, to ensure Mainers have access to critical care and medical transport when needed.

The grant will go toward replacing LifeFlight of Maine's two original 2004 helicopters with new aircraft that have "next generation" capabilities. LifeFlight is the only air rescue and transport organization serving Maine. Since 1998, more than 20,000 patients have been safely transported by LifeFlight.

"LifeFlight is vitally important to communities across the state and to many of our employees," said Bangor Savings Bank President and CEO Bob Montgomery-Rice, in a news release. "LifeFlight is about people helping people, and the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation is proud to support what is important to Maine and our employees."

"This generous grant from Bangor Savings Bank is especially exciting for LifeFlight as it's the first major grant in our fundraising campaign to replace our helicopters based in Bangor and Lewiston," said LifeFlight of Maine Executive Director Thomas P. Judge.

"For the last 11 years, these two green and gold helicopters have been beacons of hope in moments of need," said Judge. "They've crisscrossed the state, flying millions of miles and helping to care for more than 21,000 patients. But with flight time adding up and aviation technology continually evolving, LifeFlight is looking ahead to the day when those aircraft will need to be replaced. This gift from Bangor Savings Bank is a meaningful way to kick off our campaign to raise $8 million of the $13 million needed to purchase the next generation of fast, nimble and safe aircraft."