Record breaking chopper appeal

Tauranga has helped contribute to a record breaking Westpac Chopper Appeal with $77,392 going towards the Tauranga-based TrustPower TECT Rescue Helicopter.  

This year’s appeal raised a record $1,672,085 across the country, improving on the previous best of $1,656,858million in 2011.

The Tauranga-based TrustPower TECT Rescue Helicopter will receive $77,392 from this year’s appeal.

All donations from the Westpac Chopper Appeal will be distributed back to the 16 rescue chopper services across the country.

Westpac Community Sponsorship Manager Bec Williams says the total raised is outstanding.

“New Zealanders have once again shown support for their local Rescue Helicopters and this year it’s a record breaker,” says Bec.

“We’d like to thank all the generous Kiwis who dug deep to show their support, as well as our people who pulled out all the stops to raise money for their local chopper.

“The helicopters are such a vital emergency service, but they depend on the support and generosity of our community to stay in the air. It’s really important to play our part and raise awareness of this vital service, along with much-needed funds.”

Westpac employees were once again highly active in their communities and crucial to the success of this year’s appeal with more than $148,000 collected on the May 25 nationwide Street Appeal.

The bank was able to use London Paralympics swimmer Sophie Pascoe as well as past and present rugby greats Frank Bunce, Ian Jones, Conrad Smith and Jerome Kaino as Chopper Ambassadors, challenging school students around the country to raise money for their local rescue chopper service.

More than 19,000 text responses contributed another $57,000 to the record total.

TrustPower TECT Rescue Helicopter base manager and pilot Liam Brettkelly says it is an excellent result.

“In light of what the country has been asked to donate to this year, we value this excellent result.  We are continually overwhelmed by the generosity of locals, and are very proud to have the support of our community.” 

Donations are welcome throughout the year and can be made at www.chopperappeal.co.nz or any Westpac branch.