Saving lives in Fiordland likely got just a little bit easier after 7-year-old Ben Beatty - a competitor in the recent Te Anau Basin Trail Ride - decided to donate his prize money to the Southern Lakes Helicopters' rescue helicopter.

7-year-old Ben (centre) tries out Southern Lakes Helicopters' rescue helicopter for comfort, while his sister Chloe acts as 'the doctor'. Southern Lakes Helicopters Safety Manager Richie Hunter looks on. Photo: Southland App

The annual Te Anau Basin Trail Ride is based at Manapouri Station, covers nine farm properties and requires up to 80 volunteers.

This year's trail ride (22 Feb) attracted 775 riders, the most in the event's 7-year history, however it was not without its mishaps - with three people requiring the services of the attending rescue helicopter and ambulance.

Ben won $100 after featuring in the winning photograph, taken by the event's official photographer Chris Watson of Profocus - and chosen by public vote.

Very keen on both motorbikes and machinery, Ben unexpectantly announced he was giving his prize money to the rescue helicopter "for saving people".

Following Ben's donation trail organisers decided to top up the gift by adding an additional $500.

Southern Lakes Helicopters Safety Manager Richie Hunter thanked Ben and trail ride organisers for their contributions and said the donations would most likely go towards carabiners and ribbing plates for the services' rescue nappies.

Hunter assured Ben that the money would go towards saving lives.

Ben and Chloe Beatty try out the rescue 'nappies'. Ben's donation will likely go towards equipment for this safety gear. Photo: Southland App

About the Te Anau Trail Ride

The Te Anau Trail Ride is now considered one of the largest local events, by participants, in the basin, and has donated around $125,000 over its 7-year history.,

Five groups including the Te Anau Fire Brigade, Mararoa School PTA, Mararoa Community Van, Fiordland Hockey Club and Fiordland College PTA all received donations from this year's event.

The trail ride crossed nine properties including Manapouri Station, The Plains Station, Elmwood Station, Manapouri Downs, Mt Brown Station, Cheviot Downs, Lake View, The Ponds and Hillochs Ltd.

7-year-old Ben Beatty presents Southern Lakes Helicopters Safety Manager Richie Hunter with his $100 donation "for saving people". Photo: Southland App

Sponsors

• Platinum: GWD Hyundai Southland
• Gold: Ewan Allan Honda Gore & Frys Plumbing
• Silver: Placemakers Te Anau; Te Anau Paper Plus; Northern Southland Vet Services; Northern Southland Transport Holdings; Te Anau Plumbing Ltd; Fiordland Aluminium & Joinery; Walsh Contracting; Fiordland Lobster; SouthTec Ltd; Silver Fern Farms; Te Anau Auto Services Ltd; Te Anau Homes Ltd; Lakeside Motels & Apartments; Pro-Focus Photography; Te Anau Trader; Hato Hone St John, Te Anau Events Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC), Fiordland Butchery, Advocate Communications, Te Anau Rugby Club.