Few appreciate the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter more than those living in remote areas such as Clinton.
That is why the surrounding community helped the Clinton Lions Club raise $45,000 for the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust this year.
Club president John Whiteside said the club's 43 members knew the value of rescue helicopters, because Clinton was some distance from the nearest hospital.
''Unfortunately, we've had members of the community that have required the services, and so we understand the need for it,'' he said.
Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter pilot Roger Cochrane, of Mosgiel, grew up in Clinton and although he left the township more than 20 years ago, it was not uncommon for him to know patients he airlifted from Clinton to Dunedin Hospital.
Because of his connection, the generosity of the community meant that little bit more to him, he said.
Chief pilot and trust chief executive Graeme Gale said Clinton's support over the past several years had been ''just outstanding''.
''This, from this community, is significant. This is a huge donation from a small community but a strong community,'' he said.
''Rural people in rural communities, they understand the real value of a service like this.
''They're right at the coalface if there's an accident and an injury is involved. You don't get that at a major town.
''In a community like this, everyone lives it and breathes it. If there's a tragedy, everyone is affected by it.''
Nobody knows that better than Clinton School pupil Ella Cocks (4) and her grandfather, Clinton Lions Club member Alastair Cocks, who watched in awe as the rescue chopper landed on the school field yesterday to collect the Lions club donation.
Mr Cocks said his family was eternally grateful for the helicopter service because it rescued his son, Jack, when he suffered a brain aneurysm at the Mt Nicholas sheep station across Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown in 2013.
''Had it not been for the service the helicopter provides, he probably would not have made it.''
Mr Cocks said the service was a ''vital part of the community'' that ''everybody gets behind''.
Mr Whiteside said $85,000 was raised by the Clinton Lions Club Advance Agriculture Brassica Competition this year.
Of the funds raised, $45,000 was given to the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust, $20,000 to Hospice Southland and the other $20,000 to Hospice Otago.
