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.
Join Liv and get Back to Base for your rescue helicopter this August.
Liv’s doing it for her son, rescue helicopter paramedic Zack.
"𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗷𝗼𝗯 – 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆.”
Join Liv’s Back to Base team – or start your own! Sign up, gather your support crew and get Back to Base this August for the rescue helicopter.
See Back to Base link in bio
See Liv`s story on the Stories page of the Back to Base website
Three years ago, Michelle fell while running the Paparoa Track and her knee "split open like a watermelon". She says the best noise ever was hearing the rescue helicopter coming in.
Since then, Michelle decided to give a "bit extra" to the service that saved her by leaving a gift in her will to the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust.
An important message Michelle wants to share is to ensure you have a will – even if you are young. We think it`s an important message too.
Read Michelle`s story at the Latest News link on our Linktree
#WillsWeek #PublicTrustWillsWeek
Kirsty’s getting Back to Base to give back to the service that saved her husband Mike.
“𝗪𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 ... 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁.”
One day, you may need the rescue helicopter crew’s urgent response.
Today, they need yours.
Sign up, gather your support crew, and get Back to Base for the rescue helicopters.
See the Back to Base link in bio
It’s your last chance to get in the draw for our Back to Base early sign-up prize.
All you have to do is:
✅Sign up for Back to Base by Monday 20 July
✅Get $50 in donations
✅You’re in to win!
We have two prizes to give away including a Level Up hoodie and sponsor prizes, thanks to our friends at Flex Fitness Belfast, Crafty Weka, and Pure Sports Nutrition.
Get moving this August to support your rescue helicopters.
See Back to Base link in bio
@flexfitnessbelfast
@craftywekabar_official
@puresportsnutrition
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