The Hurricanes have today announced a partnership with long-standing Wellington-based non-profit organisation, Life Flight.
Life Flight run three Air Ambulance Planes and the local Westpac Rescue Helicopter on a 24/7, 365-day service, which has so far flown over 40,000 patients in their 41-year history.
Hurricanes Chief Executive Avan Lee said he was thrilled to partner with Life Flight.
“Life Flight provide an amazing service that so many New Zealanders have benefited from. Each year over 1,200 people need time-critical aeromedical care, and in the Hurricanes catchment area alone, Life Flight flew 866 patients in 2022, which is huge.
“We are delighted to have joined forces and I look forward to working with Mark and his team in order to build a strong partnership that we can be proud of,” said Lee.
Life Flight Chief Executive, Mark Johnston, says the partnership brings together two much-loved brands, which have plenty in common.
“We’re thrilled the Hurricanes have chosen us as their 2023 season charity partner. Like the Canes, we’re a high-performing team. Everyone in the Life Flight whānau performs as a unit, supporting each other - often in high-pressure situations - to achieve the best outcomes possible.”
Johnston says Life Flight and the Hurricanes also share similar geographical footprint across the lower North Island.
“We both serve the communities of Wellington, Kapiti, Manawatū, Whanganui, Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, so there’s a certain symmetry there as well.
“We can’t wait to welcome members of the Canes’ squad, and their mascot Captain Hurricane, to our annual Open Day at our base in George Bolt Street, which is next to the Lyall Bay Warehouse on Sunday, 19 March,” says Johnston.
“This is always a great day for the whole family – and having our Canes partners join us makes it even more special.”
Hurricanes fans will have the opportunity to show their support for Life Flight at the Hurricanes versus Moana Pasifika match at Sky Stadium on Saturday, 13 May.
“We’ll have collectors out on the concourse accepting donations, and we’ll be giving away free T-Shirts as part of what will be a great afternoon of rugby,” said Johnston.
The Life Flight service covers the entire country, quickly transporting patients to the care that could save their lives. Each plane is equipped and staffed by specialist doctors and nurses to intensive care standards and has the capacity for up to two family members to stay with the patient all the way.
Life Flight coordinates a full bed-to-bed service, taking care of all logistics and providing the aircraft, equipment, and expert medical teams. They fly four emergency flights on average each day and flew 1,213 patients in 2022.