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.
If you`re in Christchurch today, keep an eye out for the Westpac Chopper Appeal collectors. We`ll be around the city centre, the airport and Fendalton Mall all day, and at Barrington Mall this afternoon.
Benno was visiting from Switerland when his walk went a little wrong and he needed a flight out on the ROA Mining Rescue Helicopter to Greymouth before a transport by the New Zealand Flying Doctor Service to get him to Christchurch Hospital for treatment.
Your donations help to ensure that these types of rescues can continue to happen.
Look out for our collectors on Friday 16 May around Christchurch or jump online to make a donation.
Thank you
𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗮
But here in Christchurch, our official street appeal is happening next Friday, 16 May – so you won’t see our bucket collectors out just yet.
That said, the stories of the Westpac Rescue Helicopters are being shared loud and clear today – on TVNZ Breakfast in adverts, and across our website and social media.
If you’d like to support the crews who are there when every second counts, you can make a donation online today:
www.airrescue.co.nz/chopper
Or, if you`d prefer to give in person, keep an eye out for our friendly volunteers next Friday around:
🔴 Riverside Market & City Mall
🔴 Fendalton Mall
🔴 Christchurch Airport (near Arrivals/Departures)
🔴 Barrington Mall (early afternoon)
Whether you give now, next week, or simply help share the message, thank you; Every bit of support helps to keep everyone across the regions safe.
Together we are Greater
𝗪𝗲’𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆
Riley`s life took an unexpected and devastating turn two years ago after a dirt bike accident, and that sound was relief for his parents, knowing help was on its way.
This year, despite the challenges he`s still facing, he took part in the cycling stages of the Coast to Coast to raise funds for the Rescue Helicopter because he knows how important the service is when it`s really needed.
Read more about Riley`s story on our website and 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 to help us to keep the helicopter equipped and the crew trained to the highest standard possible so that when you or your family need them they can be there.
Link in our bio
