Our 24/7 emergency service is always on call
to save lives whenever we’re needed. We need to raise
$6 million each year To provide this critical service.
Your support helps ensure that we can continue to
offer this lifesaving service to our community.

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.

Meet some of the Crew

Left to right – Hernan, Peet, Joshua, Tom, Dazza

Mask group@2x

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.

Supporting the west Coast Service

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

  • Instrument Flight Rules
  • Medical Equipment
  • Advanced Training
  • Crew Accommodation (on base)

Our Helicopters

In line with requirements of the new NASO contract, the West Coast community is now served by a twin engine BK117-B2 rescue helicopter.

AIRCRAFT TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS- BK-117

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 Partners

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.

ROA Mining Rescue logo
Bathurst logo
mask-group-4
westpac logo
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mitre 10 mega logo
Toyota logo

News and stories from our staff, patients, families and investors that make the difference…

Brent on the hillside with Scott and Matt

Our Stories

Find out how your donations continue to support 
Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue.
presenting a cheque

Ways to donate

Discover the ways you can help make a difference.
Follow us
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.
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.
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