May 23 2023
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Den donation boosts rescue service u by Paul Campbell
Maungatūroto fundraiser Albie Paton has given $40,000 to the Northern Rescue Helicopter from his second-hand shop, The Den in Bickerstaffe Road’s old Scout hall, cementing a ‘golden week’ for the life-saving service.
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p The Paton donation from The Den was welcomed by rescue helicopter staff (left to right) Grant Robinson, with Marge Paton, James Price, Greg Allen, Sue Dinkelacker with Albie Paton, and Psalm Blockley and Glen Silva
for The Den’s generosity. With the support Albie and his team of volunteers gives us, he is ultimately an ambassador for our cause. “Not only is he raising money to help keep us in the air, but he is also raising awareness in the Kaipara community about the role we play in flying people to a place of safety when they most need urgent medical attention. “Our amazing crews are providing lifesaving community service 24/7, and we are ultimately owned by the people of Northland. Donations like Albie’s help us buy equipment crucial to our operation.
For example, we must replace the helmets our paramedics and pilots use every 10 years. They cost $5,000 each, and we have just ordered 30 new helmets. That is why we are so grateful, and we never take that for granted because our people are part of the community too.” In the Search and Rescue Awards, the service was recognised alongside the Northland Police SAR Squad, Police National Dive Squad and Maritime NZ Rescue Coordination Centre, as well as crews of the Florence Nightingale and Pacific Invader and Kobe O’Neill, for their outstanding Enchanter rescue efforts. ¢
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“We are the latest recipient of The Den Maungatūroto’s generosity as Northland’s air ambulance service has been presented with a cheque for $30,000 to help with daily operational costs. This follows a separate donation from the Den of $10,000,” said helicopter spokesman Steve Macmillan “Last week, Nor thern Rescue Helicopters received a Gold Award: Operational at the New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards for outstanding rescue efforts when the charter fishing vessel Enchanter capsized off the North Cape in March last year. They were formally recognised alongside emergency partners in the event.” Den founder Albie says he is passionate about supporting Northern Rescue Helicopter “because of the important work it does in the community. Let’s face it, the crew members are among the best in their field, and they provide a vital lifesaving service for everyone in Northland. “We all know someone who has been helped by our local rescue choppers, so it makes sense to do what we can to give back to them because they need our ongoing support to keep operating.” In the past five years, Albie has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in The Den, contributing to a wide variety of services in the old Otamatea council region, including a major contribution towards the $5 million cost of the Maungatūroto Dementia Unit, which is now operational in the town. Macmillan says the service “is immensely thankful
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