Your support will save lives.
Waikato
‘My heart had stopped. I would have died if the helicopter hadn’t come.’ - Denis Gadd
It could be you, or your family or friends that need us. Your support ensures the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter is available in your community.
The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter can be airborne in 10 minutes, and in a life or death situation, this speed and agility can make all the difference. It is the timely assistance that the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter provides that can reduce disability and improve survival - the sooner treatment begins the greater chance of patient recovery. In fact, in most instances, our rescue helicopter reduces travel time by more than three-quarters, in comparison to a road ambulance.
But the cost of this is huge - over $3.6 million per year, just in annual operating costs, is needed to keep this life-saving service in your community.
Your local rescue helicopter does have contracts with ACC, DHB, and New Zealand Police, but this only covers 47% of our operating costs. This means we rely on our community to help raise the additional 53% of funding needed.
Without community support, your rescue helicopter would not be able to remain operational on a 24/7, 365 basis, which would mean a serious delay in people being rescued, or transported to and from hospital facilities for urgent treatment.
Becoming a supporter of the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter means you will be making a life-saving difference in your community.
Philips Search & Rescue Trust (PSRT) is the charity responsible for fundraising, and promotion of the North Island’s largest pool of community rescue helicopters. PSRT aims to provide the highest standard of air ambulance, and search and rescue services.
Your donation will go directly to the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter to ensure that it is available in your community 24/7, 365 days a year.