Craigs Investment Partners has donated $69,856 to the nation’s Regional Rescue Helicopter Trusts, following the completion of its annual ‘50km A Day Challenge’.

Every March, the nationwide financial advisory firm challenges its employees to participate in a range of exercises totalling 50 kilometres per day as teams or individuals.

The donation, which will be shared between 10 regional trusts, is a welcome boost following the active role of rescue helicopters during recent extreme weather events.

Almost $10,000 of this was donated via the Acorn Foundation to support Philips Search & Rescue Trust in funding helicopters such as the Areocool Rescue Helicopter, which provides a 24-hour air emergency medical service to the Coastal Bay of Plenty Region in the North Island. The funding will make a tangible impact on the lives of people across the BOP by providing lifesaving 24-hour emergency service, 365 days a year.

"Our rescue helicopters rely heavily on the generosity of the community. Craig’s Investment Partners have done an amazing job of organising a fundraiser that aids the wellbeing of their employees and also provides a positive impact to those in need of the rescue helicopter. I am extremely grateful they see the value in our service and the critical work we carry out." said Philips Search and Rescue Trust Fundraising and Marketing Manager Sharni Weir.

This year, over 300 of Craigs’ 650 employees participated, travelling the equivalent of 100,000 kilometres (approximately 62 times walking the length of New Zealand).

Craigs Area Manager Geoff Brown says the challenge is a benefit to both the community and the employees who take part. “To be able to provide those staff participating with a stronger reason to exercise as a means of improving their wellbeing, while raising donations for a very worthwhile essential service in the national rescue helicopter operations, is really a win-win for us here at Craigs.”

The Acorn team would like to thank Craigs Investment Partners for their continued support of the Western Bay of Plenty community through the Acorn Foundation.