The final count is in and the results are astounding.
The Rescue Warriors – a group of 14 mid-Canterbury blokes – have raised $364,057.45 for the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust and the rescue helicopter service.
This has made the Rescue Warriors’ fundraising bike ride the largest single community fundraiser since the Trust was established in 1989.
The amount raised was revealed at a celebration event for the Rescue Warriors, held at the Ashburton Aviation Museum, on Friday 1 May.
“What the Rescue Warriors have achieved for themselves, the rescue helicopter service, and the community is unbelievable.” Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust Chair Murray Willocks.
During February and March this year, the Rescue Warriors cycled the length of New Zealand to raise funds for MISSION 2026, a campaign to modernise the rescue helicopter fleet, invest in new technologies and equipment, and specialist crew training.
That modernisation of the service is now underway. The Trust has purchased three state-of-the-art H145 rescue helicopters for the Canterbury West Coast service – two are flying now with the third due to join the service in the coming months.
Willocks says the Rescue Warriors have been central to delivering the most substantial transformation the service has undergone in its 40‑year history.
“The Rescue Warriors gave us more than just dollars; they gave us confidence. Their commitment showed us that our community stood firmly behind us, sparked conversations across mid-Canterbury and beyond, and brought our transformation project into the spotlight.” Murray Willocks.
Bruce Kell is one of the driving forces behind the Rescue Warriors. He says the entire Rescue Warriors team is blown away with what they’ve achieved.
“For me, the ride began as a commitment to my own health and wellbeing – making sure I could keep up with the grandchildren. It grew into a major fundraiser for a cause that will benefit my children, grandchildren, and generations to come,” Bruce says.
“The rescue helicopter is a necessity for our rural community, and knowing we’ve helped protect its future is something truly special.” Bruce Kell, Rescue Warrior
The Rescue Warriors was formed after Bruce’s wife bought a coffee table book about the inaugural 2016 Tour Aotearoa Brevet event. Bruce says he looked at it and thought “I’ll do that”. He mentioned his intent at a Hinds & Districts Lions Club meeting and went home with the names of three keen Lions club members.
Those first four Rescue Warriors rode the 2022 Tour Aotearoa Brevet, raising more than $100,000 for the rescue helicopter service in the process. Four years on the Rescue Warriors more than tripled in size, with 14 Rescue Warriors committing to the 3,000 km ride in 2026.
The riders were split into two teams. Team Muscle rode from Bluff to Cape Reinga on traditional push bikes while Team Live started in Cape Reinga and were on electric bikes.
Wearing their distinctive red and yellow riding tops, Kell says they certainly attracted attention along the way and were overwhelmed with public support for their ride and the cause.
“Up and down the country, people were coming out to see us, saying they’d seen us on the news. We had accommodation providers open just to look after us, and little ice-cream and coffee shops donating funds from our purchases back to the cause. We even had a West Coast family we met on the Cook Straight ferry invite us for morning tea!”
Lions Clubs across the Canterbury West Coast region have shown outstanding support for the Rescue Warriors. Many Lions Clubs have also supported MISSION 2026 by helping fund the construction of helipads in their communities.
Willocks says the Rescue Warriors’ achievements will echo for generations.
“The Rescue Warriors have raised considerable funds, introduced new supporters to the rescue helicopter service, and brought an awareness to the cause that we could not have achieved on our own.
“Our most heartfelt thanks to the Rescue Warriors and their families for their commitment to this ride and the rescue helicopter service.”
“The Rescue Warriors are directly helping us shape a stronger service that will save more lives, more often, for many years ahead. They are truly inspirational blokes and we can’t thank them enough.” Murray Willocks.
The 14 Rescue Warriors are:
Team Muscle: Bruce Kell; David Keeley; Willy Leferink; Mark Holmes; Paul Brake
Team Live: Warren Harris; Bryan Beeston; David Pedersen; Richard Andrews; Graham Thomas; Mark Cressey; Duncan Barr; Brian Ellis; Rigby Wason
