HeliDoc is a new and unique non-profit humanitarian initiative aimed at disaster preparedness, health support and environmental monitoring for isolated communities along the west coast of Sumatra.

The project initiators are:

Helicopter Flying Doctor Service – A Proven Concept:

In Vanuatu, Dr Allen (licensed pilot) introduced a flying doctor service using his own 2 seat helicopter dramatically extending the reach of medical emergency response and clinic work to areas otherwise un-serviced.

Island Aid and Troppodoc have identified remote areas in Nias, the Telos and Mentawai Islands that can only be serviced by establishing a similar flying doctor operation. Dr Derek has imported his Robinson R22 helicopter to provide dedicated medical emergency & clinic support to the area.

Island Aid will support HeliDoc operations and logistics from their Padang and Mentawai bases and assist Dr Allen to secure funding, appropriate clearances, and other documentation required for the day to day operation of the flying doctor service.

Social Benefits:
The most populated island in the Mentawais is Siberut. Almost 20% of the population live along the remote West coast and in the mountainous interior. The only means of transport is by trekking through dense jungle or by small dugouts along rivers. There are no roads and no safe anchorages. Many other areas have similar difficulties.


HeliDoc will focus on:

Health:
Malaria and other diseases cause great suffering and some of the highest infant mortality rates in Indonesia. Health services are difficult and expensive to support and rough seas and strong winds make travel by boat dangerous and too expensive for most of the community and even for Government Agencies. Emergency medical aid is simply not available and often outbreaks of disease or serious injuries run unchecked for many days or even weeks while medical teams are mobilized to very remote villages.

A helicopter is the only way to reach remote villages in time to deal with medical emergencies. HeliDoc’s R22 can land on a small clearing or soccer field and bring medical workers to problem areas in hours.

Emergency Response:
The Mentawais and Batu islands were spared serious damage in the Dec 2004 mega tsunami and March 2005 mega quake. Scientists predict that these areas will be impacted within the next 20 years and probably much sooner based on research that indicates a 230 year cycle of major seismic adjustment for this area. One lesson learned from Aceh and Nias is that helicopters are the only way to do rapid assessment after large scale natural disasters and the only way to save the lives of seriously injured in the critical hours & days after infrastructure is destroyed and before ships and boats can reach the impact area.

Environment:
Much of the island of Siberut is declared a World Heritage Wildlife Reserve with mixed use buffer zones that permit the harvest of sustainable forest products by the indigenous communities. Access to these sensitive areas is extremely difficult and monitoring of land use almost impossible. A secondary role for the flying doctor service will be to support NGO over-flights who can use GPS linked cameras to verify that all stakeholders respect National Park boundaries and land-use regulations.

HeliDoc’s R22 will be the only helicopter stationed in West Sumatra on a long term basis and manned ready for emergency call-out and other non-commercial support missions. Operations will be based at Island Aid’s mountain top headquarters safe from tsunami or quake impact and backed by radio communications, autonomous power and water supply.
Dr Derek Allen in Vanuatu

HeliDoc Sponsorship Opportunity:

HeliDoc will be the first service of its kind in Indonesia and as such it will attract both national and international media attention. Aside from mainstream media interest, specialized media will be targeted with press releases on a regular basis. Photos, videos and narrative will be provided on a regular weekly basis via a specialized media blog with RSS feed.

The high visibility of the flying doctor service in the field will guarantee exposure to as many as 3,000 foreign surfers on charter boats and in resorts in the Mentawais each year. This is significant potential exposure for airlines and hotels in the region and for medivac insurance companies who compete for these clients.

Local sponsors will be seen to be supporting a unique and highly effective humanitarian operation that targets disadvantaged and isolated communities in an area of great scientific and anthropological interest and bio-diversity. The operation will be maintained Carbon Neutral by supporting tree planting initiatives to offset the modest energy needs of this very fuel efficient helicopter. The minimum sponsorship commitments shown below will raise sufficient funds to support 10 hrs flying time per week year round.

Local sponsoring companies will achieve extensive international exposure at low cost.

Exclusive Sponsors will have naming rights for the flying doctor service
ie “Global Air Helidoc”

Specific Media & Organizations to be targeted for media releases:
- National Geographic
- Time Magazine
- NewsWeek
- Surf Magazines
- UN agencies
- Travel Magazines
- In Flight Magazines (subject to sponsor category)
- Indonesia’s National Media

Logo locations – logos on underside of helicopter are same size as logo on side of body, Exclusive or License Umbrella Sponsor logo on both sides and front of body. Exclusive Sponsor can choose to add sub-sponsor logos or not as required. Exclusive Sponsor can share sponsor costs with sub-sponsors.

Exclusive Sponsorship:
$50,000 minimum per year + aircraft license umbrella service (Local Airlines and Air Service companies only)

- Exclusive branding rights ie “Global Bank Helidoc” for all media releases.
- Exclusive logo placement on main body and underside of helicopter
- Exclusive rights to all media exposure for promotion
- Exclusive rights to Dr Allen for promotional work at agreed hourly rate*
- Use of helicopter for two hours per month for joint promotional events*.

*subject to availability

Umbrella Sponsorship:
$5,000 minimum per year + aircraft license umbrella service (Local Airlines and Air Service companies only IF no exclusive sponsor)

- Shared branding rights
- Large logo placement on main body
- Shared rights to all media exposure for promotion
- Shared rights to Dr Allen for promotional work at agreed hourly rate*
- Use of helicopter for two hours per month for joint promotional events*.
*subject to availability

Shared Sponsorship:
$10,000 minimum per year (limit of 6 companies IF no exclusive sponsor)

- Shared branding rights
- Shared logo placement on main body and underside of helicopter
- Shared rights to media exposure for promotion
- Shared rights to Dr Allen for promotional work at agreed hourly rate*
- Use of helicopter for 4 hours per year for joint promotional events*.
*subject to availability

Sponsor Bidding Format:

1. The bidding period will close on the 26th December 2006. (The anniversary of the Great Tsunami)
2. Sponsorship bids will be posted on the www.helidoc.org website showing the total amount offered by each company. (anonymous if required)
3. Companies can place or increase bids by e-mail commitment backed by a post dated cheque.
4. Highest bidder(s) will be notified on completion of bid period. In case of default, next highest bidder will be advised of success.

For all questions and for further information please contact Rick Cameron at +62 751 767888 +62 815 340 59018 or e-mail to info@island-aid.org