Helicopter goes to school

JOHN BISSET/ Fairfax NZ

LUNCHTIME VISITOR: The Westpac rescue helicopter dropped in on Oceanview Heights School in Timaru on Tuesday.

JOHN BISSET/ Fairfax NZ

CHOPPER CHECK: Oceanview Heights pupils, Jordan Parke, from left, La Fiso and Shylece Smith check out the Westpac rescue helicopter with Paralympian Sophie Pascoe at the school on Tuesday.

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Timaru's Oceanview Heights students received a visitor from on high yesterday when the Westpac rescue helicopter and chopper ambassador Paralympian swimmer Sophie Pascoe dropped in for a visit.

The chopper crew and their passenger undertook a trio of school visits in Christchurch, Ashburton and Oceanview Heights in Timaru, in part to coincide with this month's Westpac Chopper Appeal and Friday's national street appeal.

And it wasn't difficult for the pilot to confirm he was landing at the right school as the youngsters formed up in the shape of a large W on the courts, to await their guests' arrival.

Miss Pascoe talked to the students about the importance of the rescue chopper service and the role it plays in the community, especially for those who live in rural areas.

"Every day these guys risk their lives to help others – they're real heroes," Miss Pascoe said of the emergency chopper crew, adding that public support for the service was important as people never knew when they were going to need them.

Crew paramedic Brent Williams talked to the students about his role and the types of rescue missions they were involved with.

All funds raised in Canterbury will go to the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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