Life-saving equipment donated to Whitianga Coastguard

The Whitianga Coastguard Unit was privileged to host the Goldfinch and Williams families for morning tea on Saturday last week.

The tea was to acknowledge a very generous donation from the two families of a new AED (automatic external defribrillator) and oxygen equipment, for use on Takareto Rescue, the unit’s new rescue vessel.

The donated equipment is a fitting memorial to Michael Goldfinch, who tragically lost his life in a boating accident off Whangapoua on Christmas Eve last year. The tea presented the opportunity for the families to meet some of the Coastguard volunteers involved in the search for Michael and to share some aspects of Michael's life with the team.

“On behalf of the boating community and the Whitianga Coastguard, I would like to thank the Goldfinch and Williams families for their very generous donation, which have greatly enhanced our ability to provide first response on water assistance to those in need for many years to come,” said Graham Caddy, Whitianga Coastguard committee member.

Pictured are some of those who attended the morning tea. Back, from the left: Susan Goldfinch, Denny Barry, Brigid Goldfinch, Alexandra Goldfinch, Peter Millington, Sarah Williams, Graham Caddy, Stuart Brown, Andrew Gibson and Ron Aylan-Parker. Front: Peter Hari.