New Zealand’s Rescue Helicopters flew dozens of critical missions both during and after recent storm events across the country, helping save lives and offering an ongoing lifeline to those trapped by floods and slips.
The heroic efforts of chopper crews come after another record-breaking year of missions in 2022. A total of 9847 rescues were carried out across the country, including 1115 by the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter service.
With Chopper Appeal Month just around the corner in May, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust general manager of fundraising Shaan Hulena says the public’s donations will help keep Kiwi communities safe around the clock, even in times of natural disaster.
“The Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter service was kept busy during our last summer of exceptionally bad weather,” Hulena says.
“Crews were involved in numerous high-profile missions including getting to patients trapped in a landslide at Orua Bay, and to unwell patients in communities cut off from the rest of New Zealand. People in Karekare and Makarau, for example, have benefitted from our services when getting out by road fast and safely wasn’t an option.”
Westpac NZ chief executive Catherine McGrath recently visited the East Coast and Hawke’s Bay to see the extent of weather damage and the scale of the recovery following Cyclone Gabrielle. She’s asking the public to give generously to support the chopper’s vital work both in those regions and around the country.
“We love working with the choppers to make Aotearoa a safer, greater place – whether it’s during large-scale emergencies or helping people who get into trouble in their day-to-day lives,” McGrath says.
“Recent events have highlighted that a chopper is always there for you, no matter where you are or what you’re doing, and our fundraising during the month of May really helps to keep them flying.”
Westpac staff nationwide will be out and about raising funds for their local rescue helicopter service in the annual street appeal on Thursday, May 4.
“Please look out for our people shaking buckets on street appeal day and support them with a donation if you can,” McGrath says.
“We know there are communities struggling to make ends meet at the moment, so please give only what you can. Every dollar will go directly to your local chopper and help towards keeping them in the air.”
Westpac funds the marketing and administration costs of the chopper appeal and distributes all funds raised back to donors’ local rescue helicopter trust.
People wishing to make a donation or find out more information can visit www.chopperappeal.co.nz.
