The inclement weather proved no match for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and residents of Cheviot to attend the official helipad launch, which was a Cheviot Lions Club initiative and garnished with the goodwill of the community.
Chief Fire Officer, Chris Hill, and the chair of the Cheviot Lions helipad fundraising committee, Giles Pinfold, both spoke on how wonderful it was to see local residents and businesses band together to see the project come to fruition. A special thank you was made to Air Rescue and Community Services (ARCS) and Kerry Varcoe of ADB Safegate for the funding and installation of the automated lighting system.
Hurunui Mayor, Marie Black recounted her own story of her daughter having been airlifted by rescue helicopter, and what comfort it bought her as a parent to know she was in safe hands and able to reach the hospital swiftly.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew thanked supporters and were presented with two sets of headphones by a grateful grandparent. Her grandson had been picked up a few weeks earlier and he was terrified of the noise of the rotors. Our quick-thinking crew got some heli headphones and blue toothed Bluey to help soothe the toddler, which worked a treat. We will now be able to have a set of child’s headphones in each helicopter.
The Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust and GCH Aviation would like to thank Nuku Nash, who represented the local iwi with a blessing of the helipad and all that land there, the Cheviot Lions Club and the community for their commitment to ensuring their residents have access to the best medical care available 24/7.
Together we can save lives.
