The crew chief of the Westpac rescue helicopter service is urging the community to help them get back to base this August, as demand for the lifesaving service continues to grow.

“Every time we take off could be the difference between life and death. This is vital work, but we can’t do it alone,” says Crew Chief Rick Knight.

The Canterbury Westpac and ROA Mining Rescue Helicopters have already completed over 520 missions this year across the Canterbury West Coast region and demand continues to increase.

“Whether it’s a medical emergency in one of our rural communities, an accident in remote terrain, or an urgent response to a personal locator beacon activation, we all rely on the rescue helicopters to be there - and we are.

“But to continue to provide this world-class service we need our community’s support. We need the community to take up this challenge and help us get Back to Base,” says Knight.

Back to Base is a virtual event in which people are encouraged to challenge themselves to cover the distance equivalent to a real rescue helicopter mission. The Back to Base distances range from 9 km, the distance from Christchurch Hospital back to base, up to 155 km, the distance from Timaru to base. Alternatively, participants can set their own target.

Last year, $45,000 was raised through Back to Base with participants finding unique ways to complete the challenge. A team of ocean swimmers swam 500 km, a mum and her two children walked and ran 349 km, while an 80-year-old man walked 9 km.

“It’s simple. Choose your distance, get a few sponsors on board and get moving. It doesn’t matter if you walk, run, swim, ski, or hit the treadmill – however you move you will be supporting the lifesaving work of the rescue helicopter crew,” Knight says.

There are 39 crew who work across the Canterbury and West Coast rescue helicopter service, operated by GCH Aviation. For all of them physical fitness, and the mental strength that comes from that, is vital for their job.

“Crew roles demand a high level of fitness every day – whether we’re swimming through rough seas during a marine rescue or trekking rugged terrain to reach an injured tramper. Even helicopter winch operations require strength and precision. It’s an intense and highly specialised job.

“The Back to Base challenge reflects the grit and commitment required in air rescue, and it's a powerful way everyday Kiwis can support our mission,” Knight says.

Funds raised through the Back to Base Challenge will go towards the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust’s MISSION 2026.

MISSION 2026 is the biggest transformation the rescue helicopter service has seen in its 40-year history. The fleet is being upgraded with three H145 helicopters, along with a significant investment in new equipment, technology and advanced crew training. The biggest game-changer is the roll-out of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) across the fleet. IFR enables the helicopters to fly in more adverse weather conditions – an investment which means the rescue helicopters will be able to respond to an estimated 20% more missions.

The Trust needs to raise $1.4 million towards MISSION 2026. Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust CEO Christine Prince says they need the community’s support to get there.

“Please join our Back to Base challenge starting 1 August. Put simply, we need your help to save lives; every dollar contributes towards this. “With challenge distances from 9 km, anyone can join the Back to Base challenge and be part of our life-saving MISSION 2026,” Prince says.

Back to Base distance options are:

• 9 km – Christchurch Hospital Helipad and Back to Base

• 49 km – Akaroa to Christchurch Hospital and Back to Base •

97 km – Mt Hutt to Christchurch Hospital and Back to Base

• 155 km – Timaru Hospital to Christchurch Hospital and Back to Base Back to Base

Challenge participants who fundraise more than $100 will receive a Westpac or ROA Mining Rescue Helicopter pin, with a medal provided to those participants who raise more than $250. The highest fundraiser will receive a city flight for two, gifted by GCH Aviation, with other spot prizes up for grabs.

Anyone can sign up for the Back to Base Challenge at www.backtobase.co.nz.

About the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust

The Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust has funded the life-saving Rescue Helicopters in Canterbury and the West Coast since 1989. Working alongside service provider GCH Aviation, the Trust is tasked with raising $6 million each year to support the operation of the service, which is not fully government funded. The Trust’s funding also supports the provision of life-saving equipment and additional crew training, all of which improves patient care and outcomes.

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