When the Westpac Rescue Helicopter flies over Vicki Garlick’s house, she always gives the crew a wave.
“The guys and girls on the rescue helicopter, they’re the angels of the sky. They need to be looked after.”
One way Vicki and husband Paul are looking after the rescue helicopter service is by leaving a gift in their will to the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust.
Vicki has always had a soft spot for caring for people.
“We were all nurses in my family and we all worked in the community. I remember when the rescue helicopters first started and they’d arrive at a crash or something like that. The rescue helicopter would get the patient to hospital so much faster.”
While now living in Riwaka, just north of Motueka, Vicki and Paul used to live in Canterbury.
“We’ve always lived rurally. For a while we were on a deer farm and we knew of farmers who had been picked up by the rescue helicopter after an accident. It’s because of the rescue helicopter that they survived.
“I’ve just seen so many good stories about the difference the rescue helicopter makes. That’s why I want to support it. It’s too important not to have.”
Also important for Vicki, is having a will. She says the process was simple.
“We just sat down and said, if we both died, what would we want to happen with our money. We’ve done OK for ourselves and our families have done OK for themselves. So, we decided to leave it to charity.”
Vicky says top of the list of charities supported through their will is the rescue helicopters in Canterbury, the West Coast and Nelson Marlborough.
“Everyone we’ve left money to really needs it, I think. It’s brought us real peace of mind knowing that our wishes have been made clear.”
Vicki and Paul discovered how difficult it can be when wishes aren’t properly document following the recent death of a family member.
“Their will was a real muck-up, it was just so out of date. It made the whole process so much harder and added to an already tough time.
“I just think it’s so important for everyone to have an up to date will. With a will you can protect yourself, your family, and leave a legacy.”
Vicki and Paul’s legacy will be life-saving.
