Support for the rescue helicopters has reached new heights, with 24,643 kilometers travelled and more than $90,000 raised to support the life-saving service.
The kilometres were walked, biked, run, and swum as part of Back to Base, a community fundraising movement led by the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust. This is the third year the Trust has run the Back to Base event during August, with the $90,798 raised representing a 42% increase on the 2025 event.
CEO of the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust Anton Drazevic says he is blown away by the support received for Back to Base.
“The success of Back to Base is a powerful reminder of how much our community values and relies on the rescue helicopter service. For the rescue crew, who work 24/7 to be there when lives are on the line, that support is incredibly meaningful.” Anton Drazevic
There were 204 individuals and 28 teams that took part in Back to Base, including Rob Reynish’s Peninsula Peddlers. The team of six Banks Peninsula blokes biked from French Farm to the GCH Aviation Air Rescue Base in Christchurch, raising an incredible $43,236. Ben Hart from the Peninsula Peddlers team was the highest individual fundraiser, raising $12,050.
Rob Reynish has been picked up by the rescue helicopter twice: first following a serious jet boat accident in North Canterbury and again after suffering a stroke at his Banks Peninsula home. Rob says he is amazed by what his Back to Base team achieved.
“It’s been the most incredible experience. We’ve felt like the whole of the Banks Peninsula was behind us.”
“The rescue helicopter is such a lifeline for our community, and it’s been a true privilege to be able to give back to a service that means so much to so many.” Rob Reynish
Timaru’s Kirsty Shefford was inspired to take part in Back to Base after watching the rescue helicopter service save her partner Mike Wentworth-Smith following a heart attack. At the end of her challenge, Kirsty, Mike and their sons Riley and Ashton visited the GCH Aviation Air Rescue Base in Christchurch and were reunited with the crew who saved Mike.
“It was such an amazing day and was very special to meet the paramedics that looked after Mike. We will be forever grateful for their help that day,” Kirsty says.
All funds raised through the Back to Base campaign will support the rescue helicopters serving Canterbury and the West Coast.
Each time the rescue helicopter takes off, the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust contributes an average of $5,000 towards the service. The rescue helicopters across Canterbury and the West Coast took off on 699 missions in the first eight months of this year.
“While many people may think the service should be or is fully funded, the reality is that it’s not. It relies on the generosity of our community. That generosity has enabled us to modernise the service, and now our aim is to protect our world-class rescue helicopter service for future generations,” Anton says.
The Trust has recently purchased three state-of-the-art H145 helicopters for the Canterbury and the West Coast service, as well as investing in a cutting-edge cockpit and winch simulator.
Anton says the future of the rescue helicopter service depends on continued investment in aircraft, equipment, crew training, and critical infrastructure.
“Community support is vital because it enables us to keep improving, innovating, and ensuring the rescue helicopter crew are ready to answer the call, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
“Our most heartfelt thanks to every Back to Base participant and to everyone who supported them by donating to their challenge and our cause. Every kilometre travelled and every dollar raised will make a life-saving difference to your rescue helicopter service.”
