PUB CHARITY
The Pub Charity has provided Life Flight with the funds needed to purchase a life-saving piece of equipment called an Oxylog 3000 used on 95% of our patients. An Oxylog 3000 is required for any patient who is not able to breathe by themselves and requires ventilator support. Patients who have emphysema or heart failure require one to stabilise them and/or save their lives. In addition the Pub Charity has also provided further significant funds to enable several missions for both children and adults.
PELORUS TRUST
Life Flight urgently needed to replace one of the old navigation instruments in the Westpac Rescue Helicopter because it was not compatible with a new and extremely important safety enhancement; Night Vision Goggles (NVGs). NVG's allow our pilots to fly more safely at night by helping "turn night into day". In order to do this our cockpit had to be modified to eliminate all "white light", such as bulbs from cockpit instruments. Pelorus Trust provided the funding necessary to ensure that our pilots can fly with Night Vision Goggles which significantly improves their chances of saving people at night.
EASTERN AND CENTRAL COMMUNITY TRUST
Life Flight had already upgraded the Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) fitted to the helicopter and the fixed wing aeroplanes but recently also had to upgrade the 10 PLBs our crew carry individually (please see story over the page). These individual PLBs ensure we can be found again after being lowered into the bush or sea to rescue people. Eastern and Central Community Trust provided the funding necessary to ensure we could immediately purchase the PLBs necessary for our rescue teams.
SOUTHERN TRUST
The Southern Trust has helped to fund several missions on the Wellington fixed wing for both children and adults. Life Flight's air ambulances are needed by, on average, three people every single day of the year. These missions require flight nurses and doctors skilled in specialist aviation medicine, two pilots and a crew person as well as all the medical equipment found in the intensive care units of any hospital. All of our team and equipment are expensive but crucial to saving lives. Whether it is a neo-natal baby in a purpose-built incubator or a cardiac patient, this team works in a challenging, but very rewarding medical environment. Thanks to the funding from the Southern Trust a number of critical missions have been carried out during 2008.
TRUST HOUSE
Life Flight's fixed wing air ambulance for Wellington is charged airway and landing fees every time it lands or takes off. Life Flight does receive some much needed support from the airport company to help reduce these costs however we are also very grateful to the Trust House for funding three months worth of airway and landing fees for Life Flight's air ambulance in Wellington this year.
