Call for Northlanders to give generously

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More than 5,900 rescue missions were undertaken by local rescue helicopters around New Zealand last year including 800 patients carried in Northland alone.

The 2015 Westpac Chopper Appeal has kicked off with a nationwide street appeal where all donations will go back to the region they’re collected from.

The Northland Emergency Services Trust is asking locals to get behind their local helicopter and give generously.

The Appeal, running throughout May, aims to raise funds and continued awareness for the 11 charitable rescue helicopter trusts operating around the country. Money fundraised during May will go back to the local trust in the area they are collected from.

Westpac’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Sue Foley, says New Zealand’s rescue helicopters provide such a vital service and are paramount to the many life or death situations thousands of Kiwis will face over the coming year.

“The reality is next time it could be any one of us, a member of our family or a friend,” Foley says. “We’re encouraging as many people as we can to support such an important service as every donation makes a big difference.”

She says each rescue mission can cost thousands of dollars on average and includes a mix of ambulance and search and rescue work.

“These choppers are like fully equipped intensive care units in the sky providing a dedicated 24-hour, seven day a week service. From a defibrillator for a premature baby to full life support systems, they are equipped to deal with almost any situation.”

A rescue helicopter is called when paramedics think getting a patient to hospital quickly will make a big difference. They also assist with accidents in difficult locations and support search and rescue and fire operations.

Most are staffed by a pilot, a crew person and a paramedic and tend to emergencies across land, water and mountains throughout New Zealand.

The majority of funding for this unique service comes from the community – from sponsors like Westpac, a proud supporter for more than 30 years, and other fundraising activities.

“We’re continually overwhelmed by the generosity of locals, and are proud to know we have the support and backing of our community,” says Northland Emergency Services Trust CEO and Chief Pilot, Peter Turnbull.

“It’s this generosity that allows us to carry out local rescue missions on a daily basis making a huge difference in many people’s lives. Whether it’s a gold coin or $1,000, it all helps to keep us flying 24/7.”

The Westpac Chopper Appeal is supported by a variety of fundraising activities in schools and community centres.

Westpac funds the marketing and administration costs of the Appeal, and distributes 100 percent of funds raised back to the local rescue helicopter trusts.

n Donations for the 2015 Westpac Chopper Appeal can be made at any Westpac branch or on the web at chopperappeal.co.nz.

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