Rotarians from the Karori and Kau Kau Rotary Clubs had the opportunity to view first-hand the rescue fleet, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and fixed wing aircraft at the Wellington Life Flight Trust base, Lyall Bay, on Tuesday night. The questions put to Sebastian Grodd, Marketing and Fund-raising Manager, and the crew of the Life Flight fleet, clearly indicated a deep interest in their business.
 
 
Last year, In six months alone, the Life Flight Trust rescued, saved and helped nearly 700 people. These challenging missions underline the amazing pilots, crew and paramedics who work for the Trust.  The service relies on community funding from donors and sponsors - and without it, says Seb, the service cannot operate.  He thanked the Rotary Clubs in Wellington for their strong and continuous support of the Life Flight Trust.

During the daytime it takes just 10 minutes of preparation time for the rescue helicopter to get airborne. At night, it takes a little longer: 20 minutes to allow for changing conditions and other needs. The helicopter has a pilot, a paramedic nurse and crew - and often a winchman - one of the most dangerous tasks that the crew has to perform.
The fixed-wing aircraft has two pilots, a nurse - and doctor if available. The service generally operates over an area from Wellington to Marlborough and Nelson, to Manawatu, New Plymouth, Wanganui and the Wairarapa. Crews are on standby 24/7. A total of 26 staff - including operation crew - work out of the Life Flight Trust's Wellington base.

Some interesting statistics have been produced by the Wellington Life Flight Trust.  In the six months from January to June last year, 691 people were helped - the average age was 41, the oldest 98; 56% were male, 44% female. Of the types of missions flown, emergency accidents, e.g. road accidents, accounted for 114 missions, medical emergencies 101, vital incubator transfers 119, search and rescue missions 15, intensive care transfers 390, training 38, and other missions 21.  The busiest operating day was a Friday and the busiest month, March.
 
The Rotary Clubs of Karori and Kau Kau showed their appreciation of the presentation and viewing when President John Barton presented a cheque for $1000 to Seb Grodd, which was topped later in the evening by a further $200 collected in Happy Dollars from the members present.
 
News to Members
At the meeting, members were very concerned to hear President John Barton report that Bob Murdoch had suffered a stroke last Friday morning (24 March).  Bob has since been in an induced coma and was transferred from ICU to a ward at Wellington Hospital on Monday.  The Club is keeping in contact with Bob's family.

Douglas Langford reported he had attended a service on Monday at Old St. Paul's for Sue Beck, wife of former Karori Rotary member, John Beck. Sue (64) died recently in Tauranga from cancer. The Becks have been living in retirement in Tauranga while still keeping their home in Homewood Avenue, Karori.