Fencers dig deep for Northland Rescue Helicopters

Fencing Contractors NZ introduced a new event to the Conference programme this year, in the form of a Charity Auction dinner. FCNZ’s board elected to raise funds for the Northland Emergency Services Trust (Northland Rescue Helicopters), a service we are all grateful to have available and hope never to have to use.

Interestingly, on a show of hands, there were 4 or 5 people in the room that had required the services of a rescue helicopter in their lifetime – around 4%. Perhaps a room full of fencing contractors and generally outdoorsy people swings the odds slightly, but it certainly highlighted the fact that without these rescue services – who heavily rely on donations to keep operating – there may have been a few less of our colleagues with us at Conference that night.

We were fortunate to have Pilot & Base Manager Steve Couchman join us for dinner and the auction, along with St John Intensive Care Paramedic Nick Scott. Steve gave a fascinating talk about the helicopter service including the costs of operation, with the group learning that a completely fitted out NEST rescue helicopter costs around $6,000,000, with a single winch costing $200,000 (which needs replacing far more often than you’d realise).

NEST has three Sikorsky S-76 emergency rescue helicopters and are the only service in New Zealand using this model of emergency helicopters – providing world-class capabilities and exceptional pilots. With an average operating cost at $5,000 an hour, and with the NEST helicopters averaging eight call-outs per day (with regular medical transfers between Kerikeri and Auckland), NEST clearly needs, and appreciates, all the donations it receives.

Nick Scott and Peter Couchman

And so the team at FCNZ were delighted that our partners and many local (and not so local) businesses supported our first charity auction so enthusiastically by donating some fantastic prizes, and that, with the help of our fantastic local auctioneer Hugh Clotworthy, our wonderful members and partners raised $18,790 for the Northland Emergency Services Trust.

Special mention goes to Nathan Monk of Monk Fencing (Tekapo) – enjoying his first FCNZ Conference – who donated a week of his time (flying anywhere in New Zealand) to work. This fiercely contested auction actually raised the highest single amount of the evening, with Nathan due to spend a week in the company of Tony and the guys at White Fencing.

Thank you to everyone who contributed, or purchased an item at auction. The bar has now been set for next year!

Liz Clark with beauty hamper donated by local company Living Nature

Ivan Beattie delighted with his auction winnings

Tony White and Nathan Monk plotting their week together

Thanks to all our Charity Auction Sponsors

Malcolm Webster All Rural Fencing Ltd, Mark Cromie Motor Group, The Country Living Boutique and Scullery, Mike Renner, John Noakes, Makana Confectionery, Topuni Timber.