Receiving medical treatment within "the golden hour" is critical to the survival of an injured person, and this usually means a trip in the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter for people seriously injured in rural Otago.
Tonight, the Lawrence Volunteer Fire Service is hosting An Evening with the Stars to raise money for the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust.
Lawrence volunteer fireman Bill Bazley said the evening had been organised because the Fire Service, St John and the Rescue Helicopter organisation all worked together, and the helicopter was so important to the region.
Between May 6 and June 6, the rescue helicopter flew 24 times in the Otago region.
Seven of those flights were in and around the South Otago area.
Mr Bazley said a similar event held two years ago raised about $30,000 for the trust, and he was hoping to raise the same amount with tonight's show.
Items donated by the occupants of each table would be auctioned. So far, there were works of art, big-screen TVs and hunting trips on offer, Mr Bazley said.
Entertainment would be provided by the Crescents and Vicky Dick, from Balclutha, he said.
