More help for Northland Rescue Helicopter

 

A Hamilton company has thrown its weight behind the Northland Rescue Helicopter service’s annual fundraising appeal.

Mac Ute Accessories has announced it will donate 5 per cent from every heavy duty hardlid they sell to customers from Waiwera to Cape Reinga until December 21. They are a 100 per cent NZ owned and operated company who are proud to support such a worthy cause.

Luke Underwood, Director of Mac Ute Accessories, has made the pledge after being part of a fundraising breakfast for the Northland Rescue Chopper service in Dargaville on November 22. The event raised over $44,000 for the service, a big contribution on top of the $150,000 that Northland electricity lines companies Top Energy and Northpower contribute to the appeal each year.

“I had not heard of the Northland Rescue Chopper service before then but I was blown away with how the community rallied around to support the service and what an amazing bunch of people make up the Northland Rescue Chopper,” says Underwood.

“Being out in the street shaking buckets and meeting the locals was something I had never done before. I have no hesitation in making this operation my charity of choice, especially considering I spend a lot of time in Northland and like the thought of supporting a service like this that is there for people in their time of need.”

It is a sentiment shared by Mac Utes’ National Sales Manager Kelly Waller, who also attended the fundraising breakfast.
“It was such a privilege being involved and then we got to go and help launch the Northland Rescue Chopper’s third children’s book at Selwyn Park School. Seeing John and Flash from More FM Northland read out ‘Mighty Mike to the Rescue’ and see the reaction of the children and teachers was really heart-warming,” says Waller.

“I heard that Northlanders donated $307,000 during last year’s appeal and we want to help make a difference this time around. So we will gift 5 per cent of all of our hardlid sales to Northland new vehicle dealers selling Ford, VW, Holden, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Toyota and Nissan and also customers who already own a ute and are interested in one of our hardlids until December 21.

“Three hardlids have already been sold this week which is really pleasing and if people have enquiries they can phone us on 0508-MAC-UTES.”

I was blown away with how the community rallied around to support the service.
- Luke Underwood