Thunder and lightning did not deter the annual Murchison horse trek which raised $3,800 for the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust.
Organiser Becky Dodsworth says 43 riders took part in the three-day trek through the Glenroy and Matakitaki valleys in March, and though the trek began in thunder and lightning, it ended in sunny weather.
The annual trek attracted riders from both the North and South Islands who got cooked breakfasts, packed lunches and roast dinners cooked up in the camp oven by the Murchison Golden Oldies.
She says it was great scenery and a good chance for riders to enjoy a stress-free time away with their equine buddy.
Each year the trek fundraises for a different organisation and this year Becky chose the rescue helicopter.
Local businesses donated items for raffles which were combined with the ride’s entry fee to result in the $3,800 donation for the rescue helicopter.
“The helicopter is an amazing asset to have in our small rural community,” she says.
“We’re very fortunate to have such a quick, reliable, professional, life-saving team available to us.”
Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust general manager Paula Muddle says the trust is always blown away by members of the community organising fundraising events for the trust.
“We’re extremely grateful when people go off on their own fundraising effort and out of the blue put the money in the bank.”
The trust had 39 callouts across the region during March, including six winch missions and eight missions needing vision goggles.
At the end of March, the helicopter had carried out 160 missions for the year.
