Book fundraiser brings helicopters to life

Northland’s rescue helicopter service has brought its three choppers to life in a children’s story book – with the helicopter nicknamed Juliet in a starring role.

Juliet to the Rescue is Northland Rescue Helicopter’s (NRH) first children’s book which went on sale this week. All proceeds go to the Northland Emergency Services Trust which operates the NRH.

Illustrated by Auckland artist Tony McNeight, the book features the NRH choppers in an adventure tale that follows Jack, Poppy and Tama as they go in search of Northland landmark the Hole In the Rock.

The ambitious trio, along with their dog Monty, strike some bad luck when the weather turns nasty and destroys their home-made raft.

NRH General Manager, Vanessa Furze, says because NRH relies heavily on donations the book is a fun fundraising idea but also a way of bringing its helicopters to life.

“Kids love the real-life helicopters and the book gives Juliet, Mike and Lima a personality all of their own. Juliet especially is the star of this book and we’re also looking at doing a series of books with Mike and Lima as the stars.”

Ms Furze says the story is also designed to raise awareness of what the NRH does for the Northland region and the book has an underlying safety message.

“We want everyone to be safe this summer and in the book there are some lessons about water safety and always letting someone know where you are going – but mostly it’s about telling a great adventure-filled story for kids.

“You never know, now when locals see us flying over-head they might look up and say, ‘Look, there goes Juliet to the rescue’.”

Across the region over the last three months NRH has attended 206 rescue missions, making 2016 the busiest year on record for the rescue service having responded to 832 requests so far. n Buy Juliet to the Rescue at nest.org.nz/product/juliet-to-the-rescue/ with all proceeds going to Northland Rescue Helicopter.

AWARENESS: Juliet is the star of a new Northland Rescue Helicopter fundraising book.