Canterbury and the West Coast have turned out in force to support the Canterbury West Coast Rescue Helicopter Trust, 126 individuals and 16 teams signing up for the challenge, raising over $64,000 by walking, running or cycling a collective 15,753 kilometers during August.

Through Back to Base individuals and teams were encouraged to challenge themselves to cover the distance equivalent to a real rescue helicopter mission, raising funds along the way for the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust. The Trust supports the Canterbury Westpac and West Coast ROA Mining Rescue Helicopters.

Amongst this number was Brendon Daly, who was rescued by the helicopter back in 2023 after a serious motorcycle accident. As his wife Liz said, “Without the helicopter we wouldn’t have Brendan here today”. Brendan covered 100km during August, the distance that the helicopter flew on the day of his accident.

Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust CEO Christine Prince says to have 126 incredible individuals step forward and be part of this effort is nothing short of humbling.

“We are overwhelmed with the outpouring of support we have received through Back to Base. The generosity we have enjoyed from our communities will play a vital role in supporting and transforming our life-saving service,” Prince says.

Prince says it was fitting that as the Back to Base Challenge came to an end, the first of the Trust’s new H145 rescue helicopters arrived in Christchurch.

“The arrival of this H145 helicopter is the beginning of an exciting journey to modernise our rescue helicopter service. Our Back to Base challengers and their supporters have been integral in helping us get the first of our new helicopters Back to Base,” Prince says.

Marewa Sutherland has been named the highest fundraiser in the overall challenge, raising $7500. The Rescue Warriors Team took out the team title with over $8700 raised as they train for next year’s Tour Aotearoa.

“We’re all rural folk and have first-hand experience of how the rescue helicopter saves lives in communities like ours.” Says Bruce Kell of the Rescue Warriors.

From January to June 2025, the Canterbury Westpac Rescue Helicopters were tasked to 397 missions and the West Coast ROA Mining Rescue Helicopter was tasked to 245 missions.

Funds raised to support transformation of rescue helicopter service

The 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, involving an upgrade of the fleet along with significant investment in new equipment, technology, Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) capability, and advanced crew training.

To realise that vision, four H145 rescue helicopters have recently been purchased by the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust, with support from the community, Westpac, Health NZ and service operator GCH Aviation. The first arrived in late August, with the remaining three helicopters arriving over the next five months.

Prince says the community response to MISSION 2026 has been heartwarming, with more than $1 million raised so far.

“We now have the enormous job to get the new H145 helicopters commissioned and fully operational. We need the community’s support now more than ever to realise our vision and ensure we have a world-class rescue helicopter service that can save more lives, more often,” Prince says.

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 $7 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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