South Canterbury urged to help raise funds for air rescue service
South Canterbrians are being urged to help raise funds for Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust to get a new helicopter fleet, new technology and vital crew training.
The fundraiser, MISSION 2026, aims to raise a $1.4 million and Timaru-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter ambassador Paul Johnston said he was no stranger to how important the service was.
“Every time I hear or see the Westpac Rescue Helicopter fly into Timaru Hospital, I know that someone is in need and help is immediately at hand.
“Most people in the district will know, or know of one or more families who have benefited from this essential service. Personally, I have not been exempt from this - my great-grandson, Raiden, was flown to Christchurch for urgent surgery at 16 days old.”
A media release by Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue said the Westpac Rescue Helicopters and ROA Mining Rescue Helicopter were busier than ever.
In 2023 the service attended close to 1000 missions across the region, an 8% increase on the previous year.
The rescue helicopters were always ready to respond quickly to accidents, medical emergencies, patient transfer services, and search and rescue operations for 600,000 people in communities from Kaikōura down to Waitaki, and from Karamea to Haast, the release said.
In January and February this year, 20 missions were for South Canterbury. In 2023, 165 missions were flown from Timaru and of these, 103 were critical or serious cases.
Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust chief executive Christine Prince said the goal was to raise $1.4 million over the next two years.
“We have already had some amazing support from Timaru - we are most grateful for the donations received at the Sophia Street (Farmers) Car Park [Trust], support from Westpac, St Vianney’s, Alpine Energy and the Aoraki Foundation.
“The Trust is set up to ensure patient care and outcomes are the very best, by funding this world class service, pilot and crew training, and the latest equipment. We work with the service operator, GCH Aviation to support initiatives that improve patient care.”
GCH Aviation has purchased three multimillion-dollar Airbus helicopters from Swiss air rescue operator Rega ready for delivery from Switzerland starting late next year.
Along with helping to fund the new fleet, the trust is working to expand Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operation to allow helicopters to fly and land in low cloud conditions. Prince said specialised training for pilots and crew was needed to match the increased capability and demand for the service.
“Training never stops. It’s a constant that keeps on requiring funding to ensure the team are operating at their peak whenever they are called out.
“Collectively these initiatives will provide a vital safety net for us all. Just knowing that this service is here brings us all peace of mind.”
Crew chief Rick Knight says IFR was a real game changer for the service and called IFR the “single largest, most significant initiative” that would help save lives.
“Having IFR for all the region will mean the crew can attend around 20% more missions and expand remote accessibility.