Small readers.
Real Rescue.
Big Impact!
Chopper and Frank – The Rescue Dogs, is a rhyming children’s book series created to help New Zealand Rescue Helicopter Trusts raise funds, engage with children and their families, and strengthen community connection and understanding of their life-saving work. It started as a fundraiser for the Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust (EHRT) in 2025 and has fast proven its potential to become a nation-wide fundraising concept, across all generations.
The goal is to see books being purchased throughout the community, with helicopter trust’s retaining all fundraising profit. The books can also be sponsored and donated to rescue helicopters to gift to patients and their families or to other organisations and causes throughout the community.
There are currently two books in the series: An East Coast Mission and A Mahia Mission.
A donation of $5 from each sale goes to the
Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust (EHRT).
About the story
The series follows Chopper the dog – a wise and experienced rescue helicopter pilot and Frank his enthusiastic, clumsy and big-hearted son. Together they respond to emergency calls, fly rescue missions, safely deliver patients to hospital and share important messages of safety preparedness.
The characters are based on real-life German Short-Haired Pointers, Chopper and Frank who are owned by author Sarah Charteris and her husband Blake. Together the couple owns and operates Charteris Choppers in Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, and the dogs have become synonymous with their smalltown helicopter business. For years they have been greeting visitors to the company’s hangar, cruising on the back of work utes, or enjoying a sneaky ride in the helicopter when allowed.
They love the day-to-day action at the hangar and provided a welcome distraction for emergency workers when the hangar was a base during Cyclone Gabrielle.
Transforming Chopper and Frank into book characters
Sarah Charteris has long been fascinated by the unique roles that Chopper and Frank play within their team.
With a background in writing, she started thinking what lovely characters they would make for a children’s book. This idea sat idle for several years until 2025 when Chopper’s health started to decline and Sarah was motivated to bring his story to the bookshelves of young readers. With a shared love of helicopters, Sarah approached the (EHRT) to see what they thought about aligning her book idea with the wonderful work that they do.
The trust did not hesitate to jump on board and Sarah worked with Draggnett in Gisborne to design and print the books, at no cost to the trust. The book was launched at the EHRT’s annual charity auction night just three months later and its success has revealed the potential to spread the unique concept throughout New Zealand.
The series narrative
Emphasises team-work, calm decision-making and care
Introduces children to rescue aviation in an age appropriate, fun and reassuring way
Promotes safety preparedness
Includes local place names and landmarks that readers can relate to
Celebrates the vital role rescue helicopters crews play in our communities