A scholarship to provide advanced training to aeromedical crews across Canterbury and the West Coast has just been launched.
The Jerry Charters Scholarship for Aeromedical Advancement is the first of its kind offered by the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust. It will provide clinicians working on the Westpac Rescue Helicopters in Canterbury and the West Coast opportunities for specialist training and professional development which otherwise would not have been possible.
The scholarship is named after Jeremy ‘Jerry’ Charters. Jerry left a gift in his will to the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust, which is the foundation funding for the scholarship.
Trust Fundraising and Development Director Kathryn Marshall says by choosing to leave a gift in his will to the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust, Jerry demonstrated remarkable generosity.
“This scholarship is a meaningful way to honour that generosity and ensure his legacy continues to make a difference for generations to come,” Kathryn says.
Jerry Charters was a retired marine engineer from Lyttelton. Originally from the UK, Jerry deeply loved his adopted Lyttelton community. He died on 1 April 2025, aged 80.
The Canterbury West Coast rescue helicopter service is operated by GCH Aviation, with the service supported by the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust.
GCH Aviation Crew Support Manager and Critical Care Paramedic Tatsu Kuwasaki says a paramedic’s scope of practise has expanded considerably in the last ten years.
“Advanced care paramedics today are expected to deliver a level of care that ten years ago we never dreamed would be possible in the kind of remote environments our rescue helicopter crews work in. It’s exciting, but it also requires a huge investment in terms of time and training.”
Tatsu says thanks to the Trust’s support, the crews enjoy some of the most advanced equipment, but specialist training is just as vital when it comes to delivering improved patient outcomes.
“Our rescue helicopter crews are faced with some of the most complex situations. This Scholarship supports our crews by providing specialist training over and above what’s expected – it’s a chance to elevate their skillsets and deliver on the promise of clinical excellence,” Tatsu says.
The Jerry Charters Scholarship for Aeromedical Advancement is available to all rescue helicopter crews supported by the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust. Training or development opportunities funded must demonstrate a clear clinical benefit, promoting excellence in pre-hospital and retrieval medicine.
Paul Tebbutt was a good friend of Jerry’s. He describes Jerry as a “real character” who took friendship seriously and was generous to the people and causes he believed in.
“Jerry would give you the shirt off his back if he thought you deserved it. He used to talk about the charities he supported – the Red Cross, Salvation Army, St John, and the Westpac Rescue Helicopters.”
Paul says he was a little surprised when they found out Jerry had left gifts in his will to four charities.
“I think Jerry would be very humble about having a scholarship named after him, but secretly he would be so pleased that his gift and legacy is being recognised in such a way,” Paul says.
The Scholarship is guaranteed by the Trust for the next three years after which it’s hoped ongoing donations will replenish the fund, enabling the scholarship to continue.
“We hope Jerry Charters’ generosity inspires others to donate to the fund, so this scholarship can continue supporting future generations of aeromedical professionals to deliver exceptional care to those who need it most,” says Kathryn.
“Jerry Charters trusted us with his legacy and we hope he would be proud of how we have honoured that. We know the legacy of Jerry Charters will truly be life-saving.”
