Westpac NZ extends its support of rescue helicopter service
Westpac NZ has announced the extension of its sponsorship of the rescue helicopter to the West Coast region, which is supported by the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust, and the Nelson Marlborough region, supported by the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust.
Westpac NZ has been sponsoring the rescue helicopter service in Canterbury for 30 years; this announcement will see the iconic red Westpac rescue helicopters taking pride of place across the entire mid-and-upper South Island, from Canterbury to the West Coast and up to Golden Bay and the Marlborough Sounds.
Westpac NZ Managing Director of Product, Sustainability and Marketing, Sarah Hearn, says the bank is looking forward to extending its support of the life-saving service to more South Island communities.
“Rescue chopper crews do a wonderful job all day, every day, and often in challenging conditions to help keep our communities safe. We’re immensely proud of this longstanding partnership and we’re delighted to be extending it,” Ms Hearn says.
“We already fund the nationwide marketing and administration costs of Chopper Appeal month every May, which this year raised a record $1.5m, and by extending our sponsorship arrangements we’re deepening our involvement and helping keep more Kiwi communities safe.”
Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust CEO Christine Prince says Westpac’s commitment to the rescue helicopter service is extraordinary.
“For decades, Westpac NZ has been more than a partner – they’ve been part of our mission. Westpac’s extended commitment to the rescue helicopter service is truly life-saving,” says Christine.
