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. 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 – 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 – 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, $30, $50, or your choice
Special Projects Development Fund
The West Coast community is currently served by a twin engine H145.
| MAKE/MODEL | Airbus H145 |
| ENGINE | 2x turbomeca arriel 2E turboshaft |
| SHAFT HORSEPOWER | 1072 HP each engine (one engine inoperative) |
| CREW | 1 pilot, 1 critical care paramedic, 1 paramedic / winch operator |
| MAX SPEED | 278kph |
| CRUISE SPEED | 238kph |
| RANGE | 651 kilometres |
| SERVICE | 1 HELICOPTER AND CREW ON CALL 24/7 |
| MISSIONS | 300+ AVERAGE PER YEAR JUST ON THE WEST COAST |
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.
Welcome Harrison Reid to Back to Base! You may recognise him from his starring role on Bondi Rescue ... now this former lifeguard is swapping the beach for the pool to complete his Back to Base challenge.
Harrison caught up with Westpac Rescue Helicopter paramedic Courtney and chatted about staying fit, rescue missions, life-saving kit, and some `healthy competition`.
@harcourtsgold @harrisonreid.harcourts @harrisonsreid @bondirescuetv
Find out more or sign up to Back to Base. See the Back to Base link in bio.
Our Back to Base challenge is off! And we`ve got a little extra motivation for our challengers - the chance to win one of two Garmin Forerunner 70 watches!
Every Back to Base challenger who raises more than $500 will go in the draw for this fabulous prize, which has been generously donated by the team at @fitness.net.nz - one of the country`s largest stockists of Garmin fitness products and accessories.
So, keep logging those kilometres and sharing your fundraising pages far and wide.
Haven`t signed up yet? There`s still time to get involved and support your rescue helicopters. Sign up at www.backtobase.co.nz.
Kayla and Arlo are getting Back to Base this August for the red choppers in the sky.
“𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆, 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁.”
Will you get Back to Base and support your rescue helicopters?
Sign up today. Link in bio
Happy August!
Today is the first day of Back to Base so it`s time to start logging your KMs and getting those sponsors signing up to support your challenge.
But it`s not too late to sign up. You have the whole of August to raise your funds and cover your distance and every dollar you raise is directly contributing to keeping the crew trained and equipped with the best technology available.
Don`t forget to check out the rewards and prizes available as your fundraising total rises.
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