Trust chairman Ross Black yesterday presented the annual report to the Otago Regional Council, which is the major supporter of the trust through its annual donation of $250,000.
The report included community donations to the trust, which accounted for $502,000 for the year ending March 31.
While less than the $567,000 raised in the previous year, some fundraising events took place only every second year, so "in terms of a moving average that is a brilliant result", Mr Black said.
Operation of the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter required funding of $400,000 from the trust, and a further $148,000 for its reserves to put towards buying or repairing emergency rescue equipment.
Mr Black said he was proud the trust operated with low administration costs, meaning 96c in each donated dollar went directly to operating the service and related crew safety training.
It was another busy year for the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter and back-up helicopters deployed by Helicopters Otago in the event the dedicated helicopter was in use, he said.
Attending accident emergencies throughout Otago and Southland accounted for almost half of the 758 hours flown, compared with 406 hours flown in the previous year.
The largest increase was recorded in medical emergencies, which came to 237 hours, an increase of 28% on the previous year.
Mr Black said that the trust only received revenue from Government agencies, such as ACC, the Ministry of Health and police, when it flew on a mission, and the community provided the funding for stand-by costs.
All but one helicopter trust in the country had entered a partnership with the National Ambulance Sector Office, and they were working to develop a shared funding agreement from December 31, he said.
"There is no doubt this is a luxury service, but if you are in a true emergency and to hear this thing coming for you ... well, that is just out of this world."
