Ride for Rick and Vic

In 2024, my family needed a service I never thought we’d require. My fiancé’s father, Victor, had a serious accident nearly two hours from Christchurch and needed to reach Christchurch Hospital urgently. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew got him there in 20 minutes. Although he sadly passed away, the crew made sure he reached his family quickly and safely.

Last July I started training for the Queenstown to Invercargill Westpac Chopper Charity ride to fundraise to ensure the service would be there if my family down South ever needed it…

Less than a month later, my uncle Rick didn’t return from an overnight boating trip on Lake Manapouri with his mate. The rescue helicopter was dispatched on a search and rescue mission. They located the boat. Sadly, my uncle had passed away, but the crew was able to rescue his mate and airlift him to Southland Hospital, where he made a full recovery.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter is an incredible lifeline that many of us assume we’ll never need, until we do. A huge portion of its funding relies on generous donations.

I’m riding the Westpac New Zealand Chopper Bike Ride to help raise funds for the Lakes District Air Rescue Trust. Please consider donating and sharing this page. Your support means the world. Thank you for helping ensure this service is there for our communities down South.

I’d also like to acknowledge the incredible crews of both flights. Our family is incredibly grateful for your help in bringing our loved ones home.