For Dave Rout, being charitable isn’t about getting something in return. It’s just about giving.
“I’m passionate about giving back I guess, that’s the key.”
Dave’s business, Formula Foods, has been a major supporter of the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust since 2010. But Dave’s relationship with the rescue helicopter service started years prior; it was 1998 and Dave and wife Christine’s 14-year-old daughter was at a youth camp at Living Springs, in Governors Bay.
“She was completing an obstacle course when she fell and landed on her back on hard clay ground. She was in a lot of pain and we didn’t know how serious it was,” Dave says.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called.
“We were so impressed at how quickly they arrived. The service they gave her was second to none.”
When Dave asked for the bill for the rescue helicopter, he was amazed to find there was no charge.
“I couldn’t believe it. I mean, the rescue helicopter costs so much to run and yet, for families and patients, it’s free. From that point on, our family donated to the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust every year.”
Formula Foods was established in 1987 as a research and development business, eventually transitioning into a boutique flavour house which supplies flavours and ingredients to food and nutraceutical industries.
“We formulate and develop flavours specific to a client’s needs – that’s our speciality.”
Dave built up the business from scratch and expanded into Australia.
“As soon as the business was able, we started investing in charitable giving. We committed to an annual donation every year to the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust.”
The 20-strong team at Formula Foods’ Wigram base are all invested in the relationship.
“We’ve had tours of the rescue base, the Trust has come out to give talks about the service to our team and we have pictures of the rescue helicopters all over the place.”
“Our team understand how important the rescue helicopter is to us, to the business, and to our wider community. It’s a special relationship.”
Formula Foods also supports the New Zealand Flying Doctor Trust alongside its sister company Mätt Solutions, specialists in food quality test equipment.
Dave and Christine’s daughter made a full recovery, but her experience stayed with them.
“When you go out to the rescue base, see the equipment and meet the team, it just blows you away.”
“The rescue helicopter crew have a gift; not everybody can do what they do. We are very proud that Formula Foods is a major supporter of such an essential, lifesaving service.”
