A Fundraiser to Support the Family of Nicholas Dale
On Sunday July 12th, our helicopter community suffered a heartbreaking loss with the passing of Nicholas Dale.
Nick was flying a K-MAX helicopter on the Gold Mountain fire in western Colorado. The Australian pilot was dropping water on the 32,000 acre fire, when his helicopter crashed. A local of Colorado, Gregg Dunlap said, "Nick wasn't just battling flames in some distant place. He was fighting a fire in the very mountains and valleys that defined my childhood. The same rugged national forest where my family ran cattle for generations."
Nick will always be remembered and honored as a brave first responder that without hesitation put himself at risk to protect lives, homes and our wildlands from fire.
Nick was more than a pilot; he was a father, a loved one, a friend, and a member of the tight-knit aviation and wildland firefighting community.
Today, the people who need our support most are Nick's wife and two children.
As someone who has experienced the unimaginable loss of a brother, I know that while no amount of money can heal the pain of losing someone you love, it can help lift the financial burden during an incredibly difficult time. In the days and months ahead, Nick's family should be able to focus on grieving, healing, and being together, not worrying about unexpected expenses.
The fundraiser has been created to help provide financial support for Nicholas Dale's family as they navigate life without him. All donations will go to the wife and family of Nick. Every dollar, no matter the amount, is a meaningful expression of love and support. If you are unable to contribute financially, please consider sharing this fundraiser and keeping his family in your thoughts and prayers.
To Nick's wife and children: There simply aren't enough words to express the depth of my sorrow for your loss. No words can ease the heartbreak or make sense of such a profound tragedy. You can never fix the whole in your heart, but I do hope you can eventually build a garden around that hole. As a member of the world of aviation, I want you to know that we are all feeling the weight of the loss of Nick and will remember both Nick and his legacy. Nicholas Dale will not be forgotten. No matter what obstacles life puts in your way, you can always get through it as long as you have family, friends, and Faith in your corner. Never stop looking to your corner when you need help. The helicopter community is in your family's corner.
With love and support,
a member of the Wildland Aviation Community,
Savannah Montero of Winnemucca, NV