JOINT PRESS RELEASE
Top Energy and Northpower

Date: Tuesday 31st October 2006

Subject: DONATE and keep an outstanding service in the air

The Northland Electricity Rescue Helicopter Appeal is in desperate need of a community cash injection.

The appeal has raised $90,000 to date, but this is still short of the $150,000 target. Over 159,000 appeal envelopes were delivered to Northland homes in the last month and the donations have been slowly trickling in.

This time last year the appeal had raised $107,000.

Northlanders have the opportunity to raise twice the targeted amount for the Rescue Helicopter, through the sponsor’s double donation scheme. Top Energy and Northpower are ready and waiting to match public donations, dollar for dollar, up to $150,000. Already, the sponsors have met the cost of the appeal campaign, so that 100% of all money raised by the public goes to supporting the outstanding Northland service.

Earlier this year the Northland Emergency Services Trust (NEST) received the ‘2006 Director of Civil Aviation Award’ and was recognised for operating one of the country’s most outstanding rescue helicopter services. The award is presented each year to an organisation with a strong safety ethos. NEST received the award for their high safety practises and now leads the way in industry safety standards.

Northpower’s Marketing Manager Darren Mason says that Northlanders should take comfort in knowing that their lives are in some of the ‘best hands’ in the country.

“We should be proud to know that we have a top service, the fastest helicopter, remarkable and experienced pilots, and highly qualified medical crews. We need to make sure that our donations reflect this,” Mason says.

“The appeal is nearing an end. We are short of the $150,000 target and the Rescue Helicopter needs those public contributions. Whatever amount they donate, WE WILL DOUBLE,” he says.

Donation forms are available from and will be accepted at any Northland ASB Branch throughout the campaign. Another donation form will be delivered to Whangarei and Kaipara electricity consumers next week in the Northpower customer newsletter – this will be the last chance to donate.

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