October is the NBS Helicopter Appeal Month - Message from the CEO

NBS is a major sponsor of the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter and we’re proud to have our ‘Banking for Life’ brand on the nose of the chopper.

Through the month of October we’re aiming to shine a light on the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust (NMRHT) and in addition, give a significant boost to their operational budgets.

Donations to the NBS Rescue Helicopter Appeal for the local rescue helicopter service are essential to keep the crew flying and safe, so they can keep the community safe. The rescue helicopter team is highly skilled, trained in navigating obstructive environments, water rescue, day and night winching, and bush, snowline and avalanche survival.

The NMRHT is a charitable trust and is only partially government funded for the 500+ missions they fly every year. So far in 2020, the helicopter has averaged 10 missions per week, at an average cost of $3,500 per mission. As at September this year, the crew have played a critical role in saving 326 lives.

We have a huge amount of respect for the amazing work they do and the difference they have made to so many people in our community. Most of us know someone who has benefited from this charity and we’ll be highlighting some real life examples of these survivors over the next few weeks of this campaign.

So please join us in supporting the life-saving work of this vital community service, that is always there for us, by making a donation at any NBS branch, or online at nbsrescuehelicopterappeal.nz.