Newspaper flies high with rescue chopper

MARK DWYER/Taranaki Daily News

SHOWN THE ROPES: Newly qualified Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter winch and strop crewman Phil Dwyer shows Taranaki Daily News marketing executive Tracey Spence how the equipment operates yesterday.

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The Taranaki Daily News has hopped on board the Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter.

A one-year sponsorship deal between the newspaper and the trust was officially announced yesterday.

The trust and the newspaper already shared a close working relationship, which is expected to be strengthened now the paper is on the side of the chopper.

Marketing manager Michelle Brennan said the newspaper sponsored a variety of events and organisations in the region.

"We pride ourselves on being a great supporter of the community and the trust also does. That is why we saw this as a great opportunity to form this partnership," Ms Brennan said.

The level of funding would be reviewed after one year, she said.

Trust manager Noel Watson said the deal was an absolutely fantastic way to foster the ongoing relationship with the Taranaki Daily News.

"It (sponsorship) is essential to the running of the organisation," Mr Watson said.

The trust has sponsorship deals ranging from $2 million to $10,000, with the funding used to cover operational costs including fuel to upskilling crew members.

"One way or another we have to find the money.

"Some give products, some give cash for specific projects each has got its own use," Mr Watson said.

Strengthening the relationship between the service and the newspaper was beneficial for both organisations, he said.

"We rely on getting it out to the public what we do do. The locals like to know what is happening in their province and this is one way of getting it out there."

Mr Watson said there had been a drop in corporate sponsorship because of the recession so the deal had come at the right time. "It is fantastic, we are really thrilled," he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News