Cruise the Marlborough Sounds to save lives

MEDIA STATEMENT

For immediate release

27 January, 2012

Cruise the Marlborough Sounds to save lives

Tickets are on sale now for a unique cruise around the stunning Marlborough Sounds to raise funds for crucial local emergency services.

The Marlborough Sounds Discovery Cruise, run by the Wellington North Rotary Club hopes to fundraise over $25,000 for local charities, The Life Flight Trust and Wellington Free Ambulance.

The cruise onboard Interislander ferry, the Arahura will take around 500 people on a return trip around Pelorus Sound and D’Urville Island on Sunday March 11.

Francis Small, Chair of the organising committee says Life Flight and Wellington Free Ambulance are charities doing an amazing job, saving lives of many people every year.

“It’s easy to forget about these services until you need them. If you suffer a medical emergency or are involved in a serious accident these services are there to save your life. We must support them so they can continue to do such a good job”

“The cruise is also an opportunity to see some of New Zealand’s most unique and breathtaking scenery with lunch and exciting onboard activities on offer,” says Mr Small.

Onboard entertainment will include commentary from former ferry Master Captain John Brown and a Department of Conservation expert, wine and beer tastings, a V8 race car simulator, manicures, pedicures, massages, jewellery making and an opportunity to visit the ship’s bridge and engine room.

Life Flight Chief Executive David Irving says the trust relies on fundraisers like the cruise to keep flying and saving lives.

“We fly on average four missions every day, but only through community support. It’s not often that whilst cruising the Marlborough Sounds, you can help us save lives.”

Although Life Flight’s life-saving aircraft can’t be onboard, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter will be flying over while staff and Clive Button - the son of co-founder Peter Button talk about the pioneering work of the service.

Andy Long Wellington Free Ambulance Acting Chief Executive says they owe Rotary a debt of gratitude for their incredible work in raising funds to help keep our service free.

“This charity cruise through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds is a great chance for Wellingtonians to get onboard the cause and put the fun in fundraising for Wellington Free Ambulance. We’ll be bringing a paramedic team along to give free CPR training along with an ambulance and a rescue squad 4WD,” says Mr Long.

“We have supported similar fundraising events in the past and they have been very popular with tickets selling out pretty quickly. Life Flight and Wellington Free Ambulance are such worthwhile causes, we are more than happy to support the event,” says Interislander General Manager Thomas Davis.

Last years cruise sold out two weeks prior and raised over $25,000 for The Life Flight Trust and Wellington Free Ambulance.

The cruise departs the Wellington terminal at 9.30 am and returns at 6.30 pm on Sunday 11 March. Tickets cost $195 for adults and $150 for children 12 and under. Lunch is included in the ticket cost.

For more information about the event and to book, visit: Wellington North Rotary Club

ENDS