The Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter had one of its busiest days on record this week when snow blanketed most of the region. It was deployed on six missions from the Helicopters Otago Taieri base and spent a total of 11.7 hours in the air.
The trust had to raise about $500,000 each year to fund the emergency service, chairman Ross Black said.
''In the foreseeable future, we'll have to increase that quite significantly,'' he said.
The trust did not have an organised fundraising programme, but accepted donations year-round and benefited from the annual Westpac appeal.
Mr Black said the May appeal was a ''brilliant source of support and funding'', but the trust could not operate without help from the community.
Its service covered about 28% of New Zealand's land mass but had to rely on donations from less than 10% of the country's population.
''We've got the smallest population of any of the twin-engine dedicated rescue helicopter trusts in the country. We receive donations each month from individuals, groups and communities, and a number of our communities are extremely supportive.''
He said the trust aimed to fund the best service possible, to national and international standards.
Helicopters Otago managing director and chief pilot Graeme Gale witnessed
for himself the value of Otago's rescue helicopter and the trained St John paramedics and pilots sent on missions.
Rescues were often tricky, but larger issues loomed behind the scenes, Mr Gale said.
''One of the biggest challenges above all is getting financial support for the trust.''
He applauded the ''outstanding job'' of the trust in providing a top service for Otago.
''There's nothing better in the country. I see it first-hand, the sigh of relief when we pull up in the middle of nowhere to get that patient a better chance.''
Rural residents in particular were ''staunch'' fundraisers, as they saw the rescue helicopter as their lifeline to Dunedin Hospital, he said.
Ninety-six cents in every dollar donated to the trust went directly to operating the rescue helicopter and improving the service.
The trust's support meant the helicopter could be in the air within six minutes of an emergency call being received, Mr Gale said.
''And that's just outstanding, which is why fundraising is extremely important.''
Last year, about 660 rescue helicopter missions were undertaken in Otago.
