The TrustPower TECT Rescue Helicopter is set to benefit from a new initiative that will see cattle turned into cash to fund rescue choppers around the country.

The Tauranga-based helicopter is one of five rescue helicopters around the country that will receive proceeds from the Greenlea Flight for Life.

The Flight for Life campaign will support the TrustPower TECT Rescue helicopter.

All farmers and lifestyle block owners can donate livestock or set value amounts from cattle that require processing, enabling them to donate a beast to their local rescue helicopter at the time of processing with Greenlea.

Any number of cattle or a set dollar value can be donated at the time of kill, with 100 per cent of the donation going to the rescue helicopter.

Tauranga-based pilot Liam Brettkelly says the rescue chopper relies on donations and sponsorship for about 50 per cent of their funding and any avenue of revenue is welcome.

'It sounds like it's a good idea and if it generates income, it's always good.

'It will be interesting to see how the uptake from farmers will be towards it all. It's quite a good concept and the old beasts aren't cheap so it should generate a fair bit of income. Hopefully it all works to the benefit of everybody.”

Developed by Philips Search & Rescue Trust, operator of five rescue helicopters throughout the central North Island, and underwritten by Greenlea Premier Meats, Greenlea Flight for Life will generate a new fundraising stream for the charitable rescue helicopter sector.

'After several years of steady growth, the Greenlea Team saw a need to put something sound back into the rural community,” explains Greenlea managing director Tony Egan.

'We are committed to making a difference and have contributed $600,000 to kick-start this initiative.”

Tony says with a client base covering the North Island, they are confident Greenlea will make a valuable contribution.

Funds collected will be directed back to the rescue helicopter trust where the livestock was supplied.

Marketing and fundraising manager for Philips Search & Rescue Trust Kylie Harcourt says just under 40 per cent of all air ambulance missions are rural related.

'We wanted to create a fundraising campaign that resonated with the rural community and made donating easy through Greenlea. We were conjuring up ideas of cattle being rescued by choppers, rump steak rotors and chops for choppers.”

Philips Search & Rescue Trust operates the North Island's largest pool of rescue helicopters with bases in Hamilton, Palmerston North, Rotorua, Taupo and Tauranga.

Further information about Greenlea Flight for Life is available at www.flightforlife.co.nz