The crew on the West Coast are often dealing with the most challenging of conditions and an average mission length is longer due to the vast distances. We are blessed to now have Westpac NZ as our associate sponsor; this new level of support underpins the service on the West Coast.ย The Critical Care Paramedics on the coast are the highest qualified medical resource available for the community. In areas like the West Coast, when there is an emergency, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter is the only option and can be the difference between life and death.
We extend a sincere thank you to ROA Mining for their significant support of the service over 13 years. Their generous commitment ensured that the West Coast community had access to this vital emergency response capability. ROA Mining will continue to support their community through their sponsorship of the New Zealand Flying Doctor Service. This sister service to the rescue helicopters is a regular visitor to the West Coast transporting patients between hospitals to the higher acuity care they need.
Left to right โ Hernan, Peet, Joshua, Tom, Dazza
As well as fundraising to support missions on the West Coast we are working on a number of exciting projects to improve patient care and save more lives. Very soon, the existing BK-117 will be replaced with a state-of-the-art H145 helicopter that will have more advanced avionics. This will facilitate Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), allowing the crew to fly in lower cloud conditions, enabling the rescue helicopter to respond in more compromised weather conditions โ a real game changer for the West Coast. This will be accompanied by equipment upgrades and advanced training, so the crew are fully prepared for all missions.
Mission support
Can you contribute to the cost of a mission or fund a lifesaving mission?
You can support a complete mission
1 mission- $5,000
2 missions – $10,000
4 missions – $20,000.
Or give a monthly gift – $20, $3o, $50, or your choice
Special Projects Development Fund
The West Coast community is currently served by a twin engine BK117-B2 rescue helicopter, but the H145 is on its way soon.
| MAKE/MODEL | BK-117 – B2 |
| ENGINE | Twin Allied Signal, LTS101-850B2 |
| SHAFT HORSEPOWER | 850 HP each engine |
| CREW | 1 pilot, 2 paramedics |
| MAX SPEED | 150 knots / 280kph |
| CRUISE SPEED | 120 knots / 222kph |
| RANGE | 540 kilometres |
| SERVICE | 1 HELICOPTER AND CREW ON CALL 24/7 |
| MISSIONS | 300+ AVERAGE PER YEAR |
Our community and corporate sponsors are greatly valued. Without their support our service would not be able to operate. The Canterbury West Coast Rescue Helicopter Trust gratefully acknowledges the following companies whose generous support contributes to the efficient operation of a viable FREE Rescue Helicopter Service in our region.
๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ฏ๐ผ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฐ
Steve "Puds" Pudney started his working life with a passion for the outdoors and a job to match. A little later he wanted something a bit more settled and then decided that he could do more and went back to university just before he turned 30.
Almost 20 years on, Puds reflects a bit on his career journey and the places he`s been.
Check his story in the `Stories from the Crew` link in our bio. and watch him on @@breakfaston1 this morning.
When Dave started sliding down an icy mountain, he thanked his lucky stars he was going feet first.
https://www.airrescue.co.nz/stories/plucked-off-the-side-of-a-mountain/
December was busy for the crew, while the country started their holidays.
It has been great to see our new helicopter, IGA, out in the skies. We`d love to see your images as she flies around the region - check out the photo competition in our bio
The Westpac Rescue Helicopters rely on donations to keep flying.
Approximately 40% of the cost of the rescue helicopter service comes from the community.
Leaving a gift in your will is one of the most powerful ways you can support this life-saving service. You can save lives beyond your own lifetime.
Gifting even 1% of your worth can make a meaningful difference.
You have the power to change lives and look after those who mean the most to you. Please consider leaving a gift in your will to the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust.
For more information request a copy of our legacy giving brochure, or read our legacy giving FAQs, here: www.airrescue.co.nz/legacy
Or see the Gifts in wills link on our Linktree
