Retired All Blacks star winger Sir John Kirwan had a chance to express his appreciation of the work of the country’s first responders when he was in town this week.

He visited the Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust (EHRT)  hangar — home to the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter

The Westpac annual staff rescue helicopter fundraising golf tournament, running since 1969, raised $7500 this year with the proceeds being divided evenly between rescue helicopter services in Hawke’s Bay, Taupo and the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter.

A grateful EHRT chair Patrick Willock told Sir John how the team swung into action post-Cyclone Gabrielle, while the trust worked to ensure they and visiting crew had all the food, water and other necessities they needed.

Sir John said that though their basic needs were taken care of, he hoped team members were also mindful of their own and each other’s mental health.

While he said he gets to connect with quite a few first responders, “they can be tough nuts to crack”.

“First responders like you are always giving and giving and giving,” he told the pilot, crewman and critical care flight paramedic rostered on for the day.

“But while that comes from a beautiful place, you have to look after yourselves, too.”

Sir John also spoke to audiences at Te Karaka Area School and to 145 people at a public meeting at Lawson Field Theatre on Wednesday night.