Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter Open Day 2017

The 2017 Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter Open Day is on Sunday 19 February, allowing members of the community to take a seat in the cockpit and get up close to the hardworking crew.

The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter team will be joined by members of the NZ Police, NZ Fire Service, St John, AOS and more for a day of interactive and informative entertainment from 10am – 2pm at the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter Hangar located at the Waikato Hospital.

With annual operational costs of $3.6M, this is an important day for the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter as it allows the crew to give back to the generous community who provide financial support to keep this life-saving service in the air.

Part of this funding comes via Friends of the Rescue Helicopter – individuals and families who support the service via an annual donation – hence the Open Day has something for the whole family.

The rescue helicopter responds to motor vehicle and motorbike accidents, forestry and farming accidents, hunting, tramping and recreational activities, industrial sites, search and rescue operations for those lost in the bush, mountains and out at sea. The service is dispatched via the New Zealand 111 system.

In 2016 alone, the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter carried out 691 potentially life-saving missions compared to 540 in 2015. Support your local rescue helicopter today.

For more information about the Open Day or donating visit www.rescue.org.nz

Philips Search and Rescue Trust (PSRT) is a charitable organisation, operating rescue helicopters throughout the Central North Island. Philips Search and Rescue Trust relies on support from principal sponsors and community donations. Special thanks to the sponsors of the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter. This crucial financial support ensures our rescue helicopters can continue to bring life-saving equipment, rescue personnel and trauma-trained medics directly to the patient.

2017 marks PSRT’s 30th year, during which time 32,223 lives have been potentially saved by one of their rescue helicopter teams. To ensure this vital service is available for the next 30 years please donate by visiting www.rescue.org.nz

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