West Coast ROA Mining Rescue Helicopter

Providing critical air rescue services for the people of the West Coast 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

West Coast

In trauma cases such as road accidents and medical emergencies, getting emergency care or treatment to a patient at the scene within 60 minutes of an accident or incident increases the patients chance of making a full recovery by over 80% - this is referred to as “the golden hour”.

In remote and isolated areas the rescue helicopters provide a critical lifeline.

The Greymouth based ROA Mining Rescue Helicopter (and the Christchurch based Westpac Rescue Helicopter) watch over the lives of more than 600,000 people. We have been operating for over 30 years and have saved thousands of lives in our community. On average, 3 people will place their lives in the hands of the Air Rescue crew each day.

The community are our main supporters and see the inherent value of contributing to saving lives and doing their part to help the community.

The Air Rescue Trust needs to raise $4.7 million a year to provide this life-saving service; today and for future generations. This represents a contribution of $5,000 towards each mission (based on 2018 mission numbers). Donations support the operational cost of the service, training costs and medical equipment.

Now more than ever, together we can make a difference and save lives! The West Coast ROA Mining Rescue Helicopter and Canterbury Westpac Rescue Helicopter are our community’s safety net. Your donation ensures help from above is always close by.

More about us

The Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust has funded the life-saving Rescue Helicopters in Canterbury and on the West Coast since 1989. As of 2019, the Service has successfully undertaken over 14,000 rescue missions. We have an excellent partnership with GCH Aviation, the contracted operator of the Rescue Helicopter Service.

Our vision is that people across the vast and rugged Canterbury and West Coast regions can live their lives to the full, assured that if they have a medical emergency, the Rescue Helicopter will be there to look after them and their families.

The Air Rescue Trust needs to raise $4.7 million a year to provide this life-saving service.

Our generous supporters see the inherent value of contributing to saving lives and doing their part to help the community. Their generosity enables the Canterbury Westpac Rescue Helicopter and the West Coast ROA Mining Rescue Helicopter to be there for all of us in the event of an accident or medical emergency.