7 June 2013

Rescue Helicopter Calls for Help, 'Will You Be Our Friend?'

TrustPower TECT Rescue Helicopter is hoping to secure 1,000 new FRIENDS when its annual appeal commences in the Bay of Plenty next week – will you answer the call for help?

Annually, over $600,000 is required to be raised through the regional community in the form of sponsorship, clubs and groups support, and the FRIENDS of the Rescue Helicopter membership programme in order for the region to have its own dedicated rescue helicopter.

Funds generated go directly towards ensuring the rescue helicopter is available at no cost to the patient and ensures a dedicated air rescue service is available for the region.

“People hiking, boating and water related rescues, crashes on the state highways… we undertake a range of missions each year,” said Base Manager and Pilot Liam Brettkelly.

“We know our service touches the lives of many families in our region.”

Representatives of the TrustPower TECT Rescue Helicopter will be calling people rallying for help in the way of donations and FRIEND memberships, with a major benefit available.

As a FRIEND, you will get personal transport back to Tauranga Hospital if you have been hospitalised outside of the area and require an extended period of recovery in hospital. There is also a regular newsletter, membership card, supporter sticker and tax receipt for donations over $5.

Rescue helicopters throughout New Zealand are charitable organisations who received approximately 50% of funding from government related contracts. The remaining operating costs are fundraised annually from the communities in which they serve.

For further information please contact the FRIENDS office on 0800 11 10 10 or www.rescue.org.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media