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$1.4m shortfall in annual funding urgently needed

 

NEST 1-291A call for public donations for Northland’s Rescue Helicopters is now more important than at any time in the history of the service.

After saving thousands of lives and completing more than 19,000 flights since 1988, the Northland air ambulance operation continues to be one of the busiest in New Zealand.

And with an annual funding shortfall of $1.4m, the 2016 fundraising campaign now underway is critical to keep saving lives of Northlanders and visitors to the region.

For every dollar raised by public donations in this year’s Northland’s Rescue Helicopter appeal, the two principal sponsors, Northpower and Top Energy, will match the figure dollar for dollar up to $150,000.

The consumer-owned Northland electricity lines companies have supported the service since its inception in 1988 and have helped it raise millions of dollars since.

Northland’s Rescue Helicopter annual fundraising appeal launches on September 19 and runs for two months, with an ultimate target of well over $200,000.

Northpower Public Affairs Manager, Steve Macmillan, says the 2016 campaign focuses on many of the parts of our community where the Northland Rescue Helicopters are so critical – forestry, farming, children, water-sports and our Northland roads.

“This service is critical to Northland and we can all make a difference by donating what we can. The consistent theme we hear from those who have been rescued is that they never thought it would be them in need.”

Already in 2016 Northland’s Rescue Helicopters have completed more than 550 flights, with hundreds more expected before year end. The average cost per call-out is around $6800, while a return flight from Whangarei to Kaitaia alone costs more than $6600.

Rescue flight recipient Gillian Archer says the service is a must for the rugged Northland region, and one that the region could not go without.

“It is the most amazing service, so professional. The pilots and crew operate it as a well-oiled machine that helps in any situation. I would never in a million years have thought I would need the services of the Northland Rescue Helicopter,” she says.

Other faces of this year’s appeal include Damian Roxburgh, who suffered horrific injuries in a motorcycle crash on the Brynderwyns earlier in the year and would have died if the Northland Rescue Helicopter had not flown him to hospital so quickly.

Anna Pratt’s baby boy, Mason, also features, with his red raw zipper scar etched on his tiny chest following life-saving surgery he received as a newborn, which was possible thanks to an emergency flight to Starship when he was just hours old.

n Save a mate, save a life because it could be yours – donate today at any ASB or at nest.org.nz. Help our life-saving Northland Rescue Helicopters. Follow the 2016 fundraising campaign on facebook/northland.rescuehelicopter.

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