The Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter is powered by a fully operational BK-117 Kawasaki helicopter with single-pilot instrument flight capability and operating around the clock, with a flight workforce consisting of Pilots, Air Crew Officers, and in-house Critical Care Flight Paramedics (CCFP).
The Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter responds to callout to the roadside and off-road incidents, marine mayday calls, bush and mountain search and rescue missions, hospital to hospital transfers, and rural and remote medical and accident emergencies.
Central Air Ambulance Rescue Limited (CAARL) and Search and Rescue Services Ltd (SRSL) are registered charitable companies that operate 8 rescue helicopter bases covering the Central and Southern North Island, including the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter. To find out more, go to https://www.caarl.org.nz/
Team
Vanessa Richmond
General Manager
Leads Philips Search & Rescue Trust and oversees the Fundraising, Marketing, Administration & Finance teams
Sharni Weir
Head of Fundraising and Marketing
Leads all areas of Fundraising & Marketing. Oversees the delivery of fundraising, marketing & communication strategies
Angela Cranfield
Finance Manager
Oversees and supports all things related to finance
Renee Bosley
Fundraising & Marketing Executive
Supports the Fundraising & Marketing Manager, funding requirements, events and oversees fundraising campaigns
Jenny Barris
Finance Processor
Processes donations that are made across all bases
Ayshea Abela
Partnerships Coordinator
Supports our sponsors and corporate donor relationships
Kaia MacGregor
Donor Care Coordinator
First point of contact for our generous donors, providing support with whatever they need
Laura Hamilton
Database Coordinator
Undertakes the day-to-day coordination of our database and provides support to our donors
Olivia Martinovich
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Manages social media accounts, content creation and communicates with supporters via campaigns & media
Gillian Crompton
Marketing Executive
Looks after our community of patients and families, sharing stories with our family of supporters
Kelly Buchan
Community Fundraising Coordinator
Supports community fundraisers, provides fundraising support and looks after our legacy program.
Milla Ware
Fundraising & Marketing Assistant
Supports the everyday functions of the Fundraising and Marketing team
Millie Armory
Fundraising Support
Supports the everyday functions of the Fundraising and Marketing team
Helicopters
Specifications & Equipment
The Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter is a Kawasaki BK117. This single-pilot twin-engine helicopter has commonly been used as a rescue helicopter due to its speed, reliability and ability to fly close to cliff faces which makes it the best aircraft for all types of missions.
Crew
Your Pilots
With proven experience in a diverse range of flying conditions, and logging thousands of flight hours, a rescue helicopter pilot is trusted with the safety of all on board.
Euan - Pilot
Greg - Pilot
Lance - Pilot
Ross - Pilot
Your Air Crew Officer
As the extra eyes and ears for the Pilot and the Critical Care Flight Paramedic during a mission, safety on board and around the aircraft is their priority including winch operation, navigation, obstacle identification and safe landing during flights.
Shem - Air Crew Officer
Waka - Air Crew Officer
Graeme - Air Crew Officer and Base Manager
Leigh - Air Crew Officer
Your Critical Care Flight Paramedics
A critical care flight paramedic is trained to perform advanced medical intervention and life-saving procedures within a rescue helicopter environment.
James - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Rene - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Schalk - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Your Operations Team
Muir - Medical Director
Barry - Pilot Training Manager
Charlie - Chief Pilot
Chris - Chief Operating Officer
Graeme - Clinical Operations Manager
Hugo - Clinical Development Manager
History of the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter
The Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter was established in 1991, formerly known as the NZ Rail Helicopter. It has undertaken over 10,600 missions since its inception. The helicopter was based at the airport and was brought to life by generous volunteers. In 2003, the Philips Rescue Hangar was built by the NZ Army, officially giving the rescue crew their own base.
In 1996, the helicopter upgraded to a Squirrel AS350A machine and Tranz Rail took over as principal sponsor. It was rebranded as the Square Trust Rescue Helicopter in 2002. As the service grew, the need for a new helicopter became apparent and June 2015 marked the official launch of the new BK117, which continues to save lives in the Manawatu and Whanganui regions to this day. In September 2022, the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter was renamed as the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter.
Philips Search & Rescue Trust (PSRT) is the charity responsible for fundraising and promotion of the North Island’s largest pool of community rescue helicopters, including the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter. Encompassing a fleet of rescue helicopters, the service provides air health and rescue services free of charge to the public on a no-fault basis.
In 1996, the helicopter upgraded to a Squirrel AS350A machine and Tranz Rail took over as principal sponsor. It was rebranded as the Square Trust Rescue Helicopter in 2002. As the service grew, the need for a new helicopter became apparent and June 2015 marked the official launch of the new BK117, which continues to save lives in the Manawatu and Whanganui regions to this day. In September 2022, the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter was renamed as the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter.
Philips Search & Rescue Trust (PSRT) is the charity responsible for fundraising and promotion of the North Island’s largest pool of community rescue helicopters, including the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter. Encompassing a fleet of rescue helicopters, the service provides air health and rescue services free of charge to the public on a no-fault basis.
