Handing over a fundraising cheque at Filco on Saturday turned into a moving moment when Mike Gile’s unexpected presence provided tangible evidence of the importance of fundraising for the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter.
A rescued patient, he drove over from Blenheim with his wife and children especially to meet some of the crew. To both thank them and acknowledge the important work they do. The crew, although not those onsite for Mike’s incident, enjoyed the chance to meet Mike and have a chat with him.
“We rarely get the opportunity to hear about the patients after we’ve dropped them at the hospital,” says Nelson-Marlborough Rescue Helicopter crew member and paramedic, Jeff Hughes.
Jeff was on the mission that rescued Mike and went on to say that it’s always great to meet up with patients even if they weren’t directly your patient. People want to say thanks and have that connection.
On the 17th July, Mike, his wife Roshelle and their cockatoo Crackers were on the Smiths Overbridge when they became involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle.
Mike was the most severely injured with multiple bone fractures included three in his lower back and pelvis along with head injuries and was immediately transported by the Nelson-Marlborough Rescue Helicopter to Wellington Hospital.
Roshelle was taken to Blenheim hospital in an ambulance and the Crackers was taken by a first-on-the-scene member of the public to the vets. The cockatoo’s injuries included half of her beak broken off and a claw too sore to stand on.
Mike says Crackers’ beak is growing back on its own and her claw is now fine. Mike’s injuries are taking longer to heal as he continues to wear a boot on his right leg.
During the presentation to the rescue unit, Mike became understandably emotional remembering how close it had been to a tragedy and the difference the unit has now made to both him and his family.
Members of the Top of the South Harley Owners Group and crew from Nelson-Marlborough Emergency Helicopter were meeting to hand over a cheque from funds raised by the group from a 160-strong motorcycle ride a few weeks ago. This was the 8th year the ride has taken place with multiple clubs, on various brands and types of motorcycles, riding together to raise money for the rescue helicopter.
John Gray, treasurer and secretary of the Top of the South Harley Owners Group said his brother Tom came up with the idea for the recipient of their fundraising because of the number of times the helicopter comes to motorcyclist’s rescue.
The whole motorcycle community gets behind the annual ride and riders came from as far afield as Christchurch, the West Coast and Marlborough. The focus is to get a big group together to do some socialising at the same time as getting donations for such an important cause said, John.
The presentation and start of the ride took place at local motorcycle dealer Filco Farm and Sport.