Peter Button Memorial Fund

Press, 23 November 1987, Page 6

Peter Button Memorial Fund

PA Wellington The time was opportune for the Government to recognise the work of the helicopter rescue pilot, Peter Button, with some form of funding, the Life Flight Trust chairman, Mr Russell Worth, said yesterday. Mr Button, a wellknown Wellington photographer, Ronald Woolf, and a property developer, Dion Savage, were killed on Friday when Mr But-

ton’s helicopter hit power lines and crashed at Glenside, north of Wellington. The trust, which administers Wellington’s aeromedical rescue service, met yesterday and decided to establish the Peter Button Memorial Fund to ensure that the service Mr Button set up would continue. Mr Worth said he hoped the Government would help the trust. “I think the time is

right for some Government recognition and support because we are looking at millions,” he said. There was no intention “at the moment” to approach the Government for funding. "But I feel that after what the Transport Minister, Bill Jeffries, said publicly oh Friday night that they may come to us. He was very positive that there should be some ongoing memorial,” Mr

Worth said. . ■ ♦ The trust had been re- < formulated so it would be able to continue under any change. “With the support of our sponsors and the people ; of Wellington we believe we can continue the good work started by Peter Button so many years ago.” , The trust had had offers from out-of-town operators to provide aircraft and pilots either to

be •tattpnedlnWellington or be available it* abort notice, . “The response has been fantastic.” Meanwhile Wellington should* have a rescue helicopter- back th service within four or five days. A new set of rotor blades was on its way for the second Westpac rescue helicopter which was damaged In an incident in central Wellington on Thursday.: