Sarah has signed up to walk the First Light Marathon – a half-marathon in her case – to raise funds for the Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust.

It will be her first visit to Gisborne, but certainly not her first marathon . . . she’s done at least 30, some in person and some “virtually”, wearing a track around her Maramarua property.

And though her father Max often accompanies her, this time he’s out of action while waiting for knee surgery.

“We’ve always supported rescue helicopter services both personally and through our landscaping business,” Sarah says.

“But it ramped up a lot after dad had an accident and desperately needed the service himself.”

On that day in late 2017, Max was not far from his own home in Maramarua when his ute rolled during a road accident, causing traumatic head injury, broken facial bones and trapping his arm out the window.

Once extracted, he was flown by the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter to hospital where he received emergency surgery.

“The doctors told us that if it wasn’t for the rescue helicopter he would not have survived,” says Sarah. “That’s why we are both so committed to fundraising.”

Events like the marathons aren’t huge money-spinners but Sarah believes every little bit helps and hopes her efforts will encourage others to support rescue helicopter services.

“You do get a bit buggered after all the walking but I never tire of the fundraising itself,” she says.

“That feeling that you are doing something to help is a great driver and I’ll be doing it for a long time yet.”

— New Zealand registrations for the 2025 First Light Marathon (January 25) close on January 10.

CAPTION: TREATS FOR THE TEAM: Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter air crew officer Max Neustroski with this year’s delivery from dedicated supporter Sarah Laurie.