Swiss-registered charitable foundation, Helimission, which finances and coordinates mercy missions in much of the developing world, is shortly to take delivery of an AS350 BA for use in drought ridden areas of the Ethiopian bush.

Helimission's director, Simon Tanner, who is also a pilot, said the 24-year-old helicopter would be used primarily to transport medical teams, equipment and food supplies. "It needs to be refitted, but we hope it will begin operations soon. We have no plans at present to buy any more helicopters." The AS350 BA will bring Helimission"s fleet to eight.

Helimission aims to bring social, medical and spiritual help to people in remote and inaccessible areas.

The charity operates in a growing number of countries and has four permanent bases: Kenya, Madagascar, Papua and Ethiopia, where the facility is still under construction.

"With our helicopters we support local organisations and missionary societies. We transport medical personnel, equipment and building materials for jungle hospitals in remote areas, emergency medical evacuations, and survey flights", says Tanner.

Helimission is supported only by private donations, so to help the poorest, the users of the helicopters usually only pay the fuel costs.