A couple of weeks ago, we published this post: Familiar donors out of the blocks again. It was triggered by substantial contributions just made by serial community donors – Kevin Atkinson and Craig Hickson – to the Sports Park.
The article concluded: “As appreciated as this support is from established ‘veteran’ benefactors like Atkinson and Hickson, wouldn’t it be great to see some fresh younger faces pick up the philanthropic reins around Hawke’s Bay?!”
Wishes come true! A crucial baton has been passed.
A spectacular passing of the ‘philanthropic reins’ has just been announced.
After 34 years of Principal Sponsor support by the Lowe family to HB’s Rescue Helicopter Service, that commitment has now been taken up by the Wallace Foundation, led by commercial property development trailblazer Jonathan Wallace and his wife Maree.
The Service, averaging about 400 call-outs each year, has played a crucial role for Hawke’s Bay for decades and stable, anchor support for it is crucial. It’s terrific to see the Wallaces take up this important challenge.
Jonathan Wallace says supporting the service at a pivotal time in its history was a deeply personal decision.
“Hawke’s Bay is where we call home and the region has been incredibly good to us. As a family we support many community initiatives but feel passionately about supporting the lifesaving work of the region’s rescue helicopter in a larger, more enduring way.”
“The critical role the rescue helicopter plays in helping anyone, anywhere, at any time at no cost to the patient makes the Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Service pretty unique, and that’s what’s driven us to get behind it. We’re very motivated to partner with such a vital essential service providing an anchor of support, alongside other community sponsors.”
The service is now officially named the Wallace Foundation Rescue Helicopter.
This ends a historic era for the Helicopter Rescue Service and the Lowe family’s commitment to it.
In words appropriate for the entire HB community, Rescue Helicopter Trust Chair Blair O’Keeffe remarked: “We are incredibly grateful for Lowe Corporation’s ongoing support of our air rescue service and would like to recognise how integral its contributions have been in delivering countless vital lifesaving missions across Hawke’s Bay and beyond.”
Andy Lowe commented: “Continuing my father’s mission to provide air medical lifesaving support for the community over 34 years has been an immense honour and a privilege not lost on my family. We have been proud to have been aligned with such a critical community cause and step aside with a deep sense of gratitude and positivity for the service’s future.”
The focus going forward for Andy Lowe will hinge around supporting local environmental and educational trusts; notably his conservation brainchild – Cape Sanctuary, alongside his other community interests including youth at risk.
