Westpac Rescue Helicopters struggling

[MadDuck]

Saw on the TVNZ news tonight that the (Auckland) Westpac Helicopter is struggling to get the same funding as they have had in the past due to businesses being able to provide less in the way of donations to the Trust. Blame it on the recession.

This is so wrong! :mad: These services should be totally government funded. Though I have never had to use the service (thankfully) there may come a time when I would like to have comfort in the fact that they have enough fuel to get to an accident scene.

Will be making a donation on Monday but I expect it wont be enough to even have them start the helicopter up.

[skidMark]

Saw on the TVNZ news tonight that the (Auckland) Westpac Helicopter is struggling to get the same funding as they have had in the past due to businesses being able to provide less in the way of donations to the Trust. Blame it on the recession.

This is so wrong! :mad: These services should be totally government funded. Though I have never had to use the service (thankfully) there may come a time when I would like to have comfort in the fact that they have enough fuel to get to an accident scene.

Will be making a donation on Monday but I expect it wont be enough to even have them start the helicopter up.

What if we set up a desk or something up at mechanics bay with big signs asking for donations, i would imagine people would stop and throw something in the bucket?

"here when you need us, but now we need you"

etc etc

:niceone:

[Forest]

Rescue aircraft should be government funded. As should be the ambos.

The problem is that there isn't enough money to go around.

[Monorail]

The problem is that there isn't enough money to go around.

what if the helicopters went on the dole, would there be enough money then:niceone:

[MadDuck]

what if the helicopters went on the dole, would there be enough money then

How about taking $10 a week off every benefit being dished out in NZ. Then maybe both ambos and rescue crews would have a fighting chance

[trumpy]

The problem is that there isn't enough money to go around.

Actually there is. It's just that there are a number of taxpayer funded gravy trains and idiot projects diverting the money from where it could actually make a difference.

[Forest]

Actually there is. It's just that there are a number of taxpayer funded gravy trains and idiot projects diverting the money from where it could actually make a difference.

One person's taxpayer funded gravy train is another person's non-means-tested superannuation.

[Swoop]

Will be making a donation on Monday but I expect it wont be enough to even have them start the helicopter up.
It used to be somewhere in the region of $180- just to press the start trigger. Nothing else like fuel, etc.
Someone like Pussy would know the latest costs for a turbine.

[yungatart]

It amazes me that taxpayer money can be thrown at yacht races, rugby games etc but services which save lives struggle to keep afloat.

I have no doubt that I would have buried my daughter if it were not for the Rescue Helicopter.

They get my support, and whatever money I can muster on their behalf.

[Road Guardian]

Rescue aircraft should be government funded. As should be the ambos.

The problem is that there isn't enough money to go around.

So so true :( :(

[henry]

I bet Westpac will make enough profit this year to fund every helicopter in NZ several times over. If they are reducing their sponsorship then remove their from the sides of the helicopters

[marty]

it will proboably baseline cost around $1200-1500/hour to operate - that's JUST the fuel/engine/whirly bit inspection costs. Staff and equipment on top of that.

[Pogo2]

Rescue aircraft should be government funded.


But as a rescue aircraft pilot call me biased!

[Mully]

What if we set up a desk or something up at mechanics bay with big signs asking for donations, i would imagine people would stop and throw something in the bucket?

"here when you need us, but now we need you"

etc etc

:niceone:

Alright, Mark. Do it.

Maybe call the Mad Butcher, set up a sausage sizzle outside their base.

I'll be first in line to help up.

Take the initiative bro. I challenge you.

[Headbanger]

The government should step in immediately, take over all the assets, sell them, put the money towards future grievance payments.


Its all about priorities, and its obvious rescue helicopters and ambulance services are way down the list.

Hell, You could probably run the helicopter for a year with just the money wasted on that Dixon cunt and his cunt lawyer.



Fuck em all.Bastards.

[thehovel]

The 8th of March is the ride also Fund Raising on Line get your fanily, friend and work mates that are not riding to contribute.:first::first::first: Do your bit and lets see more than 400 bikes this year!!!!! Buy the tees and badgers not just fill up the ride. Regards Richard

[Mully]

Buy the tees and badgers not just fill up the ride

Don't like badgers. Got any weasels?

[thehovel]

Don't like badgers. Got any weasels?

I'll put a tail on it and call it one

[Scouse]

I wonder if the big W on the side of the chopper will reduce with the size of there funding. I have always had a problem donating to the westpac trust when their telemarketers ring as is smacks of subsidising westpac bank's advertising. if there was no W on the side of the chopper I would gladly donate.

[GurlRacer]

:( These guys gave my Dad a fighting chance, at the end of the day it wasn't quite enough but hell... they sure gave it their all. Day in and day out, these guys save lifes... heroes is what we call them. :)

I am planning on doing a motorbike and car cruise on Dad's one year anniversary (It will fall on a weekend) and plan to raise money for the local community of Colville and also for the Helicopter.

But, in the meantime.. as broke as I am. I will be making a donation. I would hate for someone to be put in the same position as I find myself now because these guys ran "out of money" - there is no price on the value of life.

[Mully]

I'll put a tail on it and call it one

Cunning.......

[R6_kid]

When I got told rung up and asked for money the numbers I was told seemed a little over-inflated. I was told that my $20 was going to pay for 1s of flight... I'm not aware of a helicopter that costs $72k an hour to run. Though I do sympathise with their cause so I grabbed my dads visa and made a donation on his behalf.

[HRT]

It amazes me that taxpayer money can be thrown at yacht races, rugby games etc but services which save lives struggle to keep afloat.


My exact thoughts upon reading the first post also. Everything is backwards here

[Mully]

Alright, Mark. Do it.

Maybe call the Mad Butcher, set up a sausage sizzle outside their base.

I'll be first in line to help up.

Take the initiative bro. I challenge you.

Bump. Oy, Mark!!

Gunna take me up on this, mate??