Rescue helicopter given gift

There aren't too many similarities between trucks and helicopters but for Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter pilot and base manager Liam Brettkelly its turned out to be a positive combination.

Thanks to the generosity of Salter's Cartage and all the truckies who took part in the recent Classics of the Sky Tauranga Air Show the rescue helicopter has received $7163.73.


Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter pilot Liam Brettkelly, Airshow on field manager Ian Swainson, executive officer Dianne Jeffrey, Salter's Cartage operations manager Alex Salter and Airshow organising committee chairman David Love with the cheque today. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Liam says the air show had a great turn out with about 149 trucks taking part in a truck show raising funds for the helicopter service, which was part of the event.

'When you look at them, the trucks these days are so high-tech and they are beautiful looking machines and they're so well looked after. It's quite impressive really.”

He says the money raised was a fantastic gift and the team were grateful to receive it.

'It's a great contribution as I've said before it's only through the community events such as this that our service exists. The community support is huge so we're really grateful to receive this cheque. It's fantastic.”

Liam says the money raised will be used in the every-day-running cost of the vital service the rescue helicopter provides.

'It's often the hardest component to fund raise for is the general running cost fund. People like to provide items or buy specific equipment. But this will go into the general running cost pool and pay for fuel and general running expenses.”

Salter's Cartage operations manager Alex Salter says the rescue helicopter service is a worthwhile cause.

'Every year we've change who the recipients are. First year we did the Tauranga Hospital Kids'… this year we were looking for someone different and the rescue chopper has always been close to my heart.”

Alex says her family needed the Auckland based rescue helicopter once when she was a child. She accidentally knocked the car into neutral and it ran her mother over.

'I know plenty of guys that have had to be rescued by the chopper and they do really, really awesome work.”

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1 comment

Truckers

Posted on 06-02-2016 16:43 | By Kenworthlogger

Glad to see the truckers are so generous... Wonder if the car the car drivers will be so too eh maildrop....


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