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Botany and Ormiston Times, Thursday, June 22, 2017 — 5
Community
CRIME
Special mission to Beachlands
Theft ‘gutting’ for BMX club
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rew of the Auckland & Coromandel Westpac Rescue Helicopter were tasked to a very special mission in Beachlands. The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust had invited 25 year Beachlands residents Tony and Carol Hatton to this year’s Code: 1 launch at their Mechanics Bay base last Thursday. Tony’s rescue in Northland’s Kellys Bay featured on the show – the first of 10 new episodes. It was with sadness that Tony rang the Trust last week saying he was unable to attend the launch party due to poor health. Tony was recently diagnosed with cancer. After wishing him all the very best, the crew felt more could be done to make sure Tony didn’t miss out. They then struck upon an idea. If the Hattons could not come to the preview party, the crew would bring the party to them. With the couple’s blessing and the rejuggling of training schedules, Pilot Rob Arrowsmith, crewman/co-pilot Simon Owen, and retired intensive care paramedic Bruce Kerr popped in to say hello and show Tony his episode before it screened. All three men, who attended Tony’s mission on New Year’s Eve last year, were determined to make it happen. The only staff member who was unable to attend was HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) pre hospital and retrieval medicine doctor, Dr Brendan Wood who has
■■By Kelly Teed
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Tony and Carol Hatton watch the episode with the rescue crew.
since returned home to Canada. Armed with morning tea and a laptop, the crew met outside the Hatton’s home and received a very warm welcome. Tony, 74-years-old at the time of the accident, got into a spot of trouble while holidaying at Kellys Bay on the northern side of the Kaipara Harbour over summer. It was around midday New Year’s Eve and Tony was keen to take a quick dip. Tony entered the water from the beach’s sea wall. As he landed, his feet and legs stuck fast in the mud below. Falling forward, he was unable to get up again. Carol, who was relaxing nearby with friends, says it soon became clear that something was very wrong. Realising he was in trouble, Tony managed to crawl on his hands and knees, and get back to the safety of the sea wall. It was a struggle, but he made it out and on to land. The victim of a near-
Photo supplied
drowning, he had taken in a lot of sea water and collapsed with exhaustion. Thanks to the quick thinking of the small seaside community and campers, emergency services were called in and within 28 minutes, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter had arrived at the scene. In a serious condition, Tony, was air lifted to Auckland Hospital where Tony would spend several days recovering. Tony and Carol agree, that had the helicopter not attended, Tony might not have made it. They were delighted to be able to thank the crew in person. A new series of Code:1 aired at 8pm on Monday on TVNZ 1. Tony’s rescue was one of three missions to feature. ➤➤Text Chopper to 8663 to make a $3 donation to your local rescue helicopter service or visit rescuehelicopter.org.nz.
Red Socks Challenge
Get ready, set, go! ■■By Bridget Kelly He’s all geared up to shave his head, go sugar-free for a week and dominate a five kilometre kayak trip – all for the sake of charity. Seventeen-year-old Elias WorrallBader is taking part in this year’s Red Socks Challenge – an event held annually in memory of Sir Peter Blake. The renowned adventurer led by example when it came to looking after the world we live in.
Now, the Red Socks Challenge aims to honour and continue that legacy by raising money for the Sir Peter Blake Trust that will go toward ‘inspiring New Zealanders to lead the way in looking after the natural environment; to identify new and innovative solutions to the challenges we face and go forward with hope and determination to make a positive change’. For Elias, who is a year 13 student and house captain at Howick College, he’s got a few
Elias Worrall-Bader is taking part in this year’s Red Socks Challenge in honour of Sir Peter Blake. Photo supplied
we provide The practical finishing touch
CP1378-V4
To your Bathroom
local BMX club is offering a $500 reward after falling victim to theft for a second time over Queen’s Birthday Weekend. The Mountain Raiders BMX Club, based at Lloyd Elsmore Park had its two new team gazebos stolen over the long weekend. The gazebos, with the club’s signage on them, cost around $3000 and were only bought by the club just before Christmas. Club president Adam Darby said the repeated theft is “really gutting.” “We’re a community facility. It’s not exclusively for the club, it’s a public facility and anyone can go and ride there and it’s a very, very popular facility as well. The club has been based at the Lloyd Elsmore since 2012 after they moved from the old Pigeon Mountain track and Mr Darby said they’d had no issues with vandalism at the new site until around 18 months ago. The first time saw their industrial grade power tools stolen, which were replaced through a combination of donations and club funds and are now stored at a property off site. The club, which operates on donations and minimal funds, has building insurance but not contents insurance due to the high excess involved, so the stolen items were not able to be replaced under insurance. “We thought once they realised there’s not much value in there that they wouldn’t bother coming back, but we suspect the same people keep coming back,” said Mr Darby. “They probably thought we’d replace them [the tools] under things planned for the challenge which he intends to complete during the school’s Sir Peter Blake Leadership Week from June 26-30. This year’s theme for the week, he said, is Believe You Can, with the aim of inspiring students to aim high in life and take up leadership roles. Events include themed assemblies with guest speakers, an Instagram leadership message competition, and the handing out of Red Socks to students in recognition of their leadership achievements. He will be shaving his head “to find out what’s under this mop of hair” on June 30, tackling his sweet tooth by going sugar free for the
The Mountain Raiders BMX Club is offering a $500 reward for the return of the gazebos. Photo supplied
insurance and came back to steal the new ones then realised they weren’t there and thought ‘what else can we steal?’” Mr Darby said the thieves may not have been aware of the extent of the branding on the stolen gazebos, which were covered while in storage and may attempt to sell the frames. “There’s nothing in there [the shed] that would be that valuable to other people, but they’re things which are valuable to the club. The barbeque, donated by Masport, which was also stolen, is our main source of fundraising for the club.” He said the club is at a loss as to how to deter the thieves. “We put in so much personal time and effort, we’ve made all this stuff happen...it’s not a victimless crime.” week and also completing a fivekilometre ocean kayak trip on July 1 in memory of Sir Peter Blake’s love of the ocean. Last year, Elias attended the Youth Enviro Leaders Forum (YELF) in Nelson, run by the Sir Peter Blake Trust. “It truly was one of the best times of my life, and I will never forget it,” said Elias. “It imbued me with Sir Peter Blake’s passion for leadership and for the environment, and I would now like to give back to the Trust.” Red Socks Day takes place on July 7, but participants have until the end of July to complete their event.