KEY POINTS:
Two-year-old Harrison Marsden, pictured with Westpac rescue helicopter crewman Herby Barnes, is one Aucklander who knows the value of the emergency air service.
Last year, it flew Harrison from Waiheke Island after he was badly affected by an asthma attack.
A thousand people will be out in Auckland today collecting donations for the service to help save the lives of children like Harrison, who was one of more than 400 people helped by the Mechanics Bay-based chopper last year.
Harrison was struggling to breathe when the helicopter arrived. His mother, Helen Marsden, said the service was a "lifeline for the island", which is at least 35 minutes from Auckland by ferry.
The fundraising drive runs throughout May to boost the bank balance of the helicopter, which costs $5000 an hour to run. More than 80 per cent of its operations are funded through donations.
* For more information, or to donate, visit www.haveapart.co.nz
