A Banks Peninsula man rescued twice by helicopter has helped raise more than $43,000 for the service, joining five mates for a fundraising ride to its Christchurch base.

Rob Reynish and his Peninsula Peddlers team cycled from French Farm to the GCH Aviation Air Rescue Base as part of the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust’s Back to Base Challenge.

The six men raised $43,236, contributing almost half of the record $90,798 collected during the August fundraiser.

For Reynish, the challenge was a chance to give back to a service he has needed twice, first after a serious jet boat accident in North Canterbury and later after suffering a stroke at his Banks Peninsula home.

“It’s been the most incredible experience. We’ve felt like the whole of the Banks Peninsula was behind us,” Reynish said.

“The rescue helicopter is such a lifeline for our community, and it’s been a true privilege to be able to give back to a service that means so much to so many.”

Teammate Ben Hart was the challenge’s highest individual fundraiser, raising $12,050.

Now in its third year, Back to Base attracted 204 individuals and 28 teams, who walked, cycled, ran and swam a combined 24,643 kilometres. The fundraising total was 42 percent higher than in 2025.

Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust chief executive Anton Drazevic said the response showed how much the service meant to the communities it served.

“The success of Back to Base is a powerful reminder of how much our community values and relies on the rescue helicopter service. For the rescue crew, who work 24/7 to be there when lives are on the line, that support is incredibly meaningful,” he said.

All money raised will support the rescue helicopters serving Canterbury and the West Coast, which flew 699 missions in the first eight months of this year.

The trust contributes an average of $5,000 each time a rescue helicopter takes off and is tasked with raising $6 million annually to support the service.

“While many people may think the service should be or is fully funded, the reality is that it’s not. It relies on the generosity of our community,” Drazevic said.

“That generosity has enabled us to modernise the service, and now our aim is to protect our world-class rescue helicopter service for future generations.”

The trust has recently purchased three H145 helicopters for Canterbury and the West Coast, alongside investing in a cockpit and winch simulator.

Drazevic said continued investment in aircraft, equipment, crew training and infrastructure was essential.

“Our most heartfelt thanks to every Back to Base participant and to everyone who supported them by donating to their challenge and our cause. Every kilometre travelled and every dollar raised will make a life-saving difference to your rescue helicopter service.”