Grey skies did not dampen the welcome when the H145 Westpac Rescue Helicopter landed at the Methven Rugby Club on 7 July. It is a location the crew come to regularly. In fact, mission numbers here are up about 25% on the same time last year. Philip Wareing Limited, based in Methven was the first company to put up their hand and help with the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) project in this area. It was lovely to see the Philip Wareing team at the event and to thank them personally.
Thanks also to Mt Hutt, the Lions Clubs, the Midland District Freemasons, the Rugby Club and Mt Hutt School for all of their help. It was great to see all our friends from the Methven Fire Brigade and have a presentation from Dan McLaughlin, the Chair of the Methven Community Board. Local Ambassadors Alan and Bob Johnston also shared their story.
It was not so lovely outside as the rain persisted, but the warmth inside the rugby club was felt by all. Our IFR Policy Standards and Training Manager, Grant Withers from GCH Aviation said it was so good to be able to bring the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to Methven and share our exciting plans for the future – we will be able to help more patients with the new IFR technology and that is what it is all about.
Methven’s Snowfed community newspaper and the Ashburton Guardian both attended to report on the event. You can read their stories here.
