2014 Northland Electricity Rescue Helicopter Appeal underway

15 October, 2014

2014 Northland Electricity Rescue Helicopter Appeal underway

Principal sponsors of Northland’s Electricity Rescue Helicopter Service, Northpower and Top Energy, are challenging Northlanders to dig deep to support their locally owned air ambulance service.

The two electricity companies will together contribute a total of $150,000 to this year’s fundraising campaign, which is officially underway. It will run until late November.

Top Energy CEO Russell Shaw says he is proud to still be supporting the service.

“We have had our share of employees and their families saved by this service and I am constantly hearing from people in the community who have been helped by it,” says Mr Shaw.

Mark Gatland, Northpower’s CEO, says every cent helps in the fundraising appeal.

“Everyone involved in and around this service – from the paramedics to the volunteers, pilots, office staff and local authorities – is so committed to helping others. The least we can do is return that support.”

This year’s campaign is again being supported by TVNZ’s Simon Dallow, along with former Black Cap Mark Richardson and many others.

General Manager of the Northland Emergency Services Trust, Vanessa Furze, says the organisation is always grateful for the support Northland’s community gives it.

“But we are also trying to get our message wider because we are so busy through the summer months due to the influx of tourists from outside the region. For that reason, we ask that those holidaying in the North also help us,” says Mrs Furze.

“Since 1988, we have flown close to 17,000 flights and we are becoming busier by the year as our population increases, so we need ongoing donations.”

People can donate to the 2014 Electricity Rescue Helicopter Appeal in three ways:

• Return your Freepost official donation envelope sent out to all Northland homes
• Donate at any Northland ASB Branch
• Internet banking donation to ERH Appeal: ASB - 12 3106 0046000 00.

Those who donate $5 or more can be in to win one of 60 rides in an Electricity Rescue Helicopter. There is also a chance to win 20 rides in a helicopter simulator.

Follow the campaign at www.facebook.com/northland.rescuehelicopter

ENDS

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