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 have ROA Mining as our naming rights sponsor; this 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 ROA Mining Rescue Helicopter is the only option and can be the difference between life and death.
Completing over 300 missions last year, the mission numbers are building steadily. The service also gets involved with transporting patients between hospitals and through civil defense, with deployment and rescues during crisis times, most recently with the Westport (and environs) flooding.
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. Longer-term, the aim is to replace the existing BK-117 with a more modern aircraft with more advanced avionics. This will facilitate Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) which allows us to fly in lower cloud conditions, enabling the ROA Mining Rescue Helicopter to respond in more compromised weather conditions – a real game changer for the West Coast. We are also looking at equipment upgrades and supplementary 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
In line with requirements of the new NASO contract, the West Coast community is now served by a twin engine BK117-B2 rescue helicopter.
| 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.
Wow it`s December!
Here comes Christmas holidays, time off work, and with it a time for getting into the outdoors. We`d like you all to think ahead and ensure you are well prepared for any eventuality, especially if something goes wrong.
For Christmas, we`ve put together a few stories about people across Canterbury and the West Coast who have needed to call the Rescue Helicopter. All different situations but all people who really didn`t think they`d need a helicopter to get them home.
Check out the link in our bio for the whole story.
A week on from the Rakaia Garden Fete and we are thrilled to announce that we raised $𝟮𝟮,𝟬𝟬𝟬 for the Canterbury Westpac Rescue Helicopter from this event. It was a day of hard work and the weather around us was pretty awful but the microclimate of Sue and Ted Rollinson`s beautiful gardens was stunning and we enjoyed sunshine for most of the day.
Thank you to all the stall holders, visitors, volunteers and staff who made this a fantastic first fete. We look forward to seeing you again next year.
#fete #fundraising #rakaia #gardens #countryside #helicopters #rescuehelicoptersnz
Earlier today we were sent this photo of the H145 Canterbury Westpac Rescue Helicopter flying over the Hagley Oval today. Hopefully whoever they are transporting is doing well.
Thanks @itch.nz
@gchaviation
🌸 Only ONE WEEK to go until the Canterbury Westpac Rescue Helicopter Rakaia Garden Fête! 🌸
We can’t wait to see you there for a day filled with fun, shopping, and delicious treats, all in support of a great cause. 💚
Tell us in the comments who you`d bring along for a fantastic day out, and you’ll go in the draw to win a prize from our amazing stallholders!
Prize includes:
Garden angel ornament, a beautiful Rhododendron from RhodoDirect and a selection of garden fertilizer from Canterbury Landscape Supplies with a combined value of more than $300
Tag a friend, family member, or someone who deserves a day of relaxation and fun. 🎁✨
Don’t miss out—this fête is one of the highlights of the season!
Tickets can be bought online before the event or there will be gate sales on the day.
Please note: This giveaway is not endorsed by or associated with Meta.
