Helicopter-mad Harry steps up to the challenge
Participants take on a fitness challenge this August to raise funds for the Canterbury Westpac rescue helicopters and the ROA mining rescue helicopter.
Five-year-old Harry, from Akaroa, is mad for helicopters and planes.
His favourite pastime is standing by the Christchurch Airport fence and watching aircraft take off.
When he cannot see them in person, he watches YouTube videos of Emirates A380s and tracks planes on his flight radar app at home, while the lounge floor is littered with toy aircraft.
Harry would love to one day get an invite to the helicopter base.
'Sadly, out our way we don't get a lot of flights, but when the helicopters come out, he gets all excited,' his mother Mikayla Connolly said.
Harry's dream job is a pilot or an air traffic controller.
He said he loves airplanes and helicopters because they 'fly in the sky'.
Harry is a member of the Canterbury Plane Spotters Facebook group, which put up a post about the 'Back to Base' challenge.
It said if participants raised $250 they would receive a helicopter medal for completing the challenge. Harry was all ears.
After Connolly explained it was about more than just a medal and how important it is to give back to emergency services, Harry decided to sign up.
There are four different distances available to participants: 9km, 49km, 97km and 155km.
Harry opted for 9km, which is the distance from Christchurch Hospital back to base at the airport.
Connolly put up the fundraiser last Sunday with a goal of $250.
The target was cracked within 24 hours. Harry's goal has now been moved out to $1500.
As of this morning, Harry had raised $1000.
The Connollys are well aware of the importance of emergency services after their eldest son Logan had a febrile seizure as a baby.
'It was really scary at the time because it lasted a long time and we didn't know what it was,' said Connolly.
She assumed the rescue helicopters would always be available, but at the time both were in Mt Hutt and unable to travel to Akaroa as the situation was not urgent enough.
They ended up meeting Hato Hone St John halfway, which took Logan to Christchurch Hospital. Fortunately he was okay.
'I'm so passionate about making sure those services are available when people need them and that all does come down to money these days, doesn't it,' said Connolly.
She has donated regularly to the rescue helicopters since then.
Ensuring the choppers are well funded is important for Akaroa as it turns a 90-minute car ride into a 12-minute flight to Christchurch Hospital.
Harry will complete the challenge by biking the length of Okains Bay beach and going for a few bush walks while on holiday in Hanmer Springs.
Connolly hopes spreading the word on Harry's challenge will encourage other kids to do the same.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Helicopter-mad Harry steps up to the challenge
A love for all things aviation is driving young Harry Connolly to take part in the Back to Base challenge. Participants take on a fitness challenge this August to raise funds for the Canterbury Westpac rescue helicopters and the ROA mining rescue helicopter. Five-year-old Harry, from Akaroa, is mad for helicopters and planes. His favourite pastime is standing by the Christchurch Airport fence and watching aircraft take off. When he cannot see them in person, he watches YouTube videos of Emirates A380s and tracks planes on his flight radar app at home, while the lounge floor is littered with toy aircraft. Harry would love to one day get an invite to the helicopter base. 'Sadly, out our way we don't get a lot of flights, but when the helicopters come out, he gets all excited,' his mother Mikayla Connolly said. Harry's dream job is a pilot or an air traffic controller. He said he loves airplanes and helicopters because they 'fly in the sky'. Harry is a member of the Canterbury Plane Spotters Facebook group, which put up a post about the 'Back to Base' challenge. It said if participants raised $250 they would receive a helicopter medal for completing the challenge. Harry was all ears. After Connolly explained it was about more than just a medal and how important it is to give back to emergency services, Harry decided to sign up. There are four different distances available to participants: 9km, 49km, 97km and 155km. Harry opted for 9km, which is the distance from Christchurch Hospital back to base at the airport. Connolly put up the fundraiser last Sunday with a goal of $250. The target was cracked within 24 hours. Harry's goal has now been moved out to $1500. As of this morning, Harry had raised $1000. The Connollys are well aware of the importance of emergency services after their eldest son Logan had a febrile seizure as a baby. 'It was really scary at the time because it lasted a long time and we didn't know what it was,' said Connolly. She assumed the rescue helicopters would always be available, but at the time both were in Mt Hutt and unable to travel to Akaroa as the situation was not urgent enough. They ended up meeting Hato Hone St John halfway, which took Logan to Christchurch Hospital. Fortunately he was okay. 'I'm so passionate about making sure those services are available when people need them and that all does come down to money these days, doesn't it,' said Connolly. She has donated regularly to the rescue helicopters since then. Ensuring the choppers are well funded is important for Akaroa as it turns a 90-minute car ride into a 12-minute flight to Christchurch Hospital. Harry will complete the challenge by biking the length of Okains Bay beach and going for a few bush walks while on holiday in Hanmer Springs. Connolly hopes spreading the word on Harry's challenge will encourage other kids to do the same.
RNZ News
7 days ago
- RNZ News
Plane emergency at Christchurch Airport
Christchurch Airport. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon A plane has landed safely after an emergency at Christchurch Airport. Fire and Emergency (FENZ) said it was alerted at 4:30 on Thursday that there was an issue with an aircraft. One fire crew was called from Ilam. The plane landed safely and FENZ has left the scene. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
29-07-2025
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Far North couple lead project to restore native eels, educate locals
'If we have the eels declining, there's nothing to clean the silt and make sure the waterways are clean and healthy. 'They're such an important aspect to concentrate on to uplift our people.' Tuna are a treasured species (taonga) to Māori. Not only were they a source of kai, but important events were often scheduled around the harvesting of tuna. In many parts of Aotearoa, tuna are kaitiaki, protectors of the land, the people and the waters they dwell in. According to the Department of Conservation, the conservation status of the longfin eel is 'at risk and declining'. Wilson-Astle and Astle's kaupapa involves building a hatchery on their property to repopulate the eels. They plan to raise tuna and undertake release programmes throughout Te Tai Tokerau communities. The couple has also created a curriculum for early childhood centres and primary schools to teach children the historical importance of tuna. Tuna (eels) are a treasured species to Māori, however some species are in decline. The 10-week programme will involve classroom sessions and hands-on learning with tanks so children can raise elvers (juvenile eels) and later release them. For adults, they plan to hold wānanga in Kaikohe and other towns to reconnect people to their wai (water) and kai (food). Wilson-Astle, an early childhood teacher, said the idea to revive traditional knowledge came about while she and Astle were researching their whakapapa. 'We came across an old YouTube video about Lake Ōmāpere and how the health of the water reflects the health of the people. 'That resonated with us ... Lake Ōmāpere is considered the heart of Ngāpuhi, and the waterways are the veins. 'To restore the lake, you need to restore the waterways. 'With that concept in mind, that encouraged us to look at ways we can support our lakes, our people and our tuna.' The couple is also developing a Level 4 NZQA-accredited aquaculture course they want to offer to Northland tertiary providers. The tuna project expands on their other business, helping whānau grow their own kai, which featured in the Northern Advocate in April. Called Grow Your Own Northland, they make raised planter boxes, shade houses, food storage sheds, chicken coops and garden sheds, so whānau can be more self-sufficient. The couple has support from The Generator and has submitted applications for funding to Te Puni Kōkiri and the Ministry for Primary Industries' Māori agribusiness team. Their PledgeMe crowdfunding campaign launched on Thursday. For more information, visiti Te Hokinga Tuna on Facebook or visit PledgeMe. Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with finance, roading, and animal welfare issues.
