Chop-chop!

AUCKLAND, Today: Boyd PR has brought Oscar the rescue chopper to life on the pages of a new story book to help raise funds for the Northland Rescue Helicopter.

Written in-house and illustrated by Auckland artist Tony McNeight, Oscar’s Wild ’n’ Windy Rescue follows brother-and-sister duo Ollie & Tia as they explore Cape Reinga when some wild weather and daring antics puts them in a spot of bother.

Luckily, the Northland Rescue Helicopter’s new chopper, Oscar, chief pilot Tama, and paramedic Poppy are not too far away.

The book is the fifth Boyd PR has written for the rescue chopper service and follows the success of Cheeky Charlie to the Rescue, Mighty Mike to the Rescue, Lima Leaps to the Rescue, and Juliet to the Rescue.

The new book incorporates elements of te reo as an educational component as well as reflecting the influence and importance of Māori in Northland.

Oscar’s Wild ‘n’ Windy Rescue is being launched as part of Northland Rescue Helicopter’s annual fundraising campaign which started last week and runs until mid-December.

Boyd PR GM Scott Kara says the agency has worked with Northland Rescue Helicopter for more than 10 years and the books have become an annual tradition.

“The service is not fully funded by the government, so we have to get creative when it comes to raising money.”

“We started writing the books as a creative and fun way to help raise valuable funds for the rescue chopper service because it’s essential they have a wide range of funding streams to help keep them in the air,” he said.

“But the story books are not only a great way of raising money, they also raise awareness about the important and lifesaving work the Northland Rescue Helicopter team do. They are great, selfless people – and the books are also a way to bring the machines they fly to life as well,” he says.

Northland Rescue Helicopter GM Vanessa Furze says that like many charities, the rescue chopper service relies on community events to raise funds throughout the year and due to Covid-19 disruptions the majority of these were cancelled.

“This year’s fundraising appeal is more important than ever. The service is not fully funded by the government, so we have to get creative when it comes to raising money.

“The story books have been brilliant for that. Buying a book is a great way to support the lifesaving work we do and I’m very excited for the community to meet Oscar when they read the latest story,” she says.

• Buy Oscar’s Wild ‘n’ Windy Rescue (for $ 10) here: www.nest.org.nz/bookstore

CREDITS

Client: Northland Rescue Helicopter
Agency: Boyd PR
Managing Director: John Boyd
Author and Project Lead: Scott Kara
Account Support: Sophie Sager
Te Reo Māori Translation: Terina Wichman-Evans
Te Teo Māori Editing: Jason King, AUT University
Illustration: Tony McNeight