Car club gives rescue helicopter trust helping hand

Toby Bradley, 2, with the cheque for $706 raised by the Classic and Sports Car Club Northland for the Northland Emergency Services Trust. Photo/Michael Cunningham

It was a case of drivers helping pilots when a local car club decided to raise funds for Northland's rescue helicopter.

Members of Classic and Sports Car Club Northland last week presented a cheque for $706 to the pilots and general manager of Northland Emergency Services Trust (Nest).

The money was raised at a Wheels for Wings dinner and auction held for car club members in Whangarei last month that was attended by about 50 people.

"We've done a few things for Nest in the past couple of years - they've become our favourite charity," said club president Phil Schultz.

"A couple of members have used the helicopter."

Mr Schultz said it was always a good feeling to hand over money to the trust.

"It's amazing that amount of money was raised from a small group of people in one afternoon."

Nest general manager Vanessa Furze said the money would be used for maintenance and equipment. "Basically the running costs of Nest and keeping the helicopter in the air."

Nest pilot Steve Coachman said the trust ran three helicopters, which were used in rescues such as one this week when a kayaker in strife near the Ruakaka River mouth was spotted by the helicopter team, who were able to direct Coastguard personnel to rescue him.

"None of that would have been possible without donations [like this]. We rely on these donations coming in," Mr Coachman said.

"The community essentially owns this trust through its donations and sponsorship by local businesses.

"It's about community involvement."