Our vision is that people across the vast and
rugged Canterbury and West Coast regions can live
their lives to the full, assured that if they have an
emergency, the rescue helicopter will be there to
look after them and their families.
The Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust has funded the life-saving rescue helicopters in Canterbury and the West Coast since 1989. We work in partnership with GCH Aviation, the contracted operator of the rescue helicopter service.
GCH Aviation and Heli Otago work together, through an organisation called Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), to deliver rescue helicopter services across the South Island.
The Role of the Trust
- to raise funds to support the operation of the Rescue Helicopter Service, which is not fully government funded.
- to fund life-saving equipment; and initiatives that will improve patient outcomes
- to ensure this service is sustainable
- to represent the community in the Canterbury West Coast region.
