Golfers chipped in for rescue chopper

Paul “Rick” Rickard (left) has been a major force in helping organise the charity tournament over the years. He also plays in it and was joined in the hunt for birdies on Friday by Thistle Boys teammates (from left) Lee Pollitt, Dudley Meadows and John Van Helden — so named because they all at some stage played football for Gisborne Thistle AFC. The tournament, which included an auction, raised over $13,600. Pictures supplied

In a time of rising costs golfers rose to the occasion to make last week’s Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust Charity Golf Tournament a winning fundraising event.

The annual tournament has traditionally raised around $10,000 to help EHRT support the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter in its mission of saving time, saving lives.

“Because we had to close entries a couple of days before, we did think it was going to be a great success,” said EHRT event organiser Sara McNaught.

“But we didn’t anticipate raising a total of $13,613, so that was just incredible.”

The funds raised will be a welcome boost for the service, which to keep on 24/7 standby costs over $900,000 a year, more than $300,000 of which must be raised by EHRT . . . and it’s worth it.

The Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter last year flew 248 missions, plus a further 101 for flight training, ferrying patients and maintenance flights.

EHRT treasurer Ian Parker said the pay-off from the tournament is much more than the sum of dollars raised —“though that is certainly appreciated.”

“As members of the community ourselves we really value the support we enjoy from the Poverty Bay Golf Club — which offers use of its Awapuni Links for free — and from the more than 130 players whose generosity is shown by their time on the green and at the after-game festivities.

“So it’s a combination of offering golfers a great day out while raising both the profile of the rescue service, and funds to help keep us operational and meet our commitments to our flight team and to our community.”

Just after midday on Friday, 33 teams of four tee’d off on a beautiful – if chilly – afternoon to play 18 holes of golf with team Juken NZ (Ed Pirini, Nick Murphy, Shaun Truelock and Anthony Battistella) eventually placing first overall.

“But it was at the after-match raffles and auctions they really showed their generosity,” Mrs McNaught said.

“We had fantastic prizes all gifted by local supporters, and that’s what made the difference on the day.”

The tournament has twice been postponed from March to May — last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and this year because of the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle — but in its 18-year history has only been cancelled once, in 2020, again because of Covid-19.

“We don’t know whether that is good luck or just a quirk of timing, but we are very grateful to have been able to continue with our fundraising efforts,” said EHRT chair Patrick Willock.

“Though we are fundraising all year round the tournament is one of just two major events, the other being September’s Annual Charity Auction.

“So it’s a really important chance for us to both raise funds and to connect with a community that is so supportive of our commitment to providing this life-saving service.”