Posted on 14 November 2024
This year’s NBS Rescue Helicopter Appeal has raised a record amount of $141,086 for the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust.
NBS Chief Executive Gina Dellabarca is delighted with this result, and thanks everyone who contributed in some way to the month-long appeal in October.
“The success of the appeal is due to the contributions from individuals, businesses, schools and the community who recognise the lifesaving, and life-changing, work of the helicopter crew.
“On behalf of our clients, NBS is delighted to be involved in giving people the opportunity to give back to the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust, and to make our own funding contribution too of course,” Gina says.
NBS is a dedicated supporter of the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter, offering financial assistance and actively participating in the annual appeal.
“In five years of the NBS Rescue Helicopter Appeal years the appeal has raised $476,668,” Gina says.
“The NBS 10-for-10 push-up challenge was a hit again this year. It’s such a fun way to show your support, and very effective too as NBS donated $10 for every completed challenge, raising a total of $10,000 towards the appeal.”
Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust General Manager, Paula Muddle, says that the Trust is delighted with the community response to the appeal again this year.
“Little or big, there were so many clubs, organisations, businesses, schools and individuals who did their part to contribute through donating their time, participating in an event or purchasing products or tickets,” Paula says.
She says that the contribution of survivors who have needed the help of the rescue crew is very important to the success of the appeal.
“Each year, the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter respond to at least one call-out a day, and sometimes multiple back-to-back jobs, so we are quite used to seeing it in the sky.
“When a survivor shares their story however, people look at the helicopter and crew in a different light. There is huge range of circumstances for which someone might need rapid, urgent medical attention, and the way that some survivors tell their rescue story means you can imagine yourself, or someone you love, in a similarly awful, precarious position,” Paula says.
“The Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust is very grateful to everyone who got involved in the appeal this year – it has been another amazing community effort.
“We are also incredibly grateful for NBS’ support again this year, for the fifth year running, and to our other corporate sponsors who make a real difference in keeping our crew and helicopter ready to respond.”
Paula says the appeal typically funds the purchase of special medical and emergency equipment, and crew training, when those costs arise and are not covered by government funding.
“The Trust requires ongoing funding to keep our crew working at the top of their game, which is often in rugged terrain, to ensure they operate a world-class service for our community,” Paula says.