Golfers chip in $7000 for Eastland rescue chopper

A fun day out at the ‘Cockies Golf Day’ in Wairoa raised more than $14,000, split between the Tairawhiti and Hawke’s Bay rescue chopper teams. Organisers Tom Lane (left) and Mason Birrell (centre) handed the half-share for the Gisborne team over to Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter critical care flight paramedic Thomas Grantham. Picture supplied

The “Cockies Golf Day” was not really a money-making event the organisers said  but it still managed to raise nearly $7100 for the Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust.

Organiser Tom Lane said because times were tight the idea was to make the day great value with lunch, dinner and a round of golf all for $40.

“(It was) just to encourage people to get off the farm and have a fun get-together.

“So to have been able to raise $14,189 to be divided between the Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust (Gisborne) and the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter Service out of Hastings was a huge result.”

For the event at Wairoa Golf Club on August 18, 100 players took to the course on what Mr Lane said was “an absolute stunner of a day”.

Entry fees were part of the donation.

“The club waived green fees, much of the food for the day was gifted, and auctions and raffles helped boost the pot.

“One auction was for an Osler’s mince and cheese pie and that alone raised $500,” Mr Lane said.

The rural agent with Gisborne Property Brokers organised the event, together with PGG Wrightson sheep and beef rep Mason Birrell.

“Things are still tough at the farm gate so the generosity of the rural community just blows me away.”

Cockies Golf Day was founded in 2019 but due to the Covid-19 pandemic took a break until 2022 when it raised funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

“This year we were stoked to be able to get behind rescue helicopter services in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay, regions Mason and I both work in,” Mr Lane said.

“The choppers do an amazing job for those in rural and remote areas so this was a fantastic opportunity to show our support.”