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Auckland, April 24, 2020
St John launched a fundraising campaign on April 20, 2020 to increase its number of frontline ambulances, with its long-term partner ASB donating the first vehicle.
But this is the eighth ambulance donated by ASB to St John thus far.
St John Director of Operations Dan Ohs said that the organisation decided to postpone its annual appeal scheduled for the first week of April to support the nation’s response to Covid-19.
But there is a need to increase the emergency ambulance fleet as we head into winter, he said.
“It has been necessary to accelerate the production of emergency vehicles and life-saving equipment as the usual predicted increase in workload over winter is coupled with the uncertainty of Covid-19. The reality is that we do not know exactly what winter will bring this year, and we should be able to respond to the public, no matter what the situation,” he said.
Greater resilience
The additional ambulances will give greater resilience and allow St John to deploy vehicles where they are needed most urgently.
As the purchase of these ambulances and lifesaving equipment was not scheduled until next year, fundraising is needed to get them onto the frontline as soon as possible.
ASB has started the appeal by donating the first of the ten ambulances for which funds are needed.
ASB Head of Community and Sponsorship Mark Graham said that the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the immense importance of New Zealand’s frontline health services and the need to support them.
Major Partner
“We have been a major partner of St John for more than ten years, and having worked closely with them over that time we have seen first-hand the amazing work they do, and the impact – often life-saving – that this has across the country. The importance of our frontline services and healthcare professionals is shown most clearly in times of crises, and this could not be truer than in the last few months,” he said.
Mr Graham said that ASB launched a campaign earlier this month to thank essential workers, including St John staff and paramedics, but wanted to go a step further to show their support.
“We know how important having enough ambulances on the road is, especially as we come into winter. We hope this first ambulance will help with that and encourage others to donate and support St John’s fundraising campaign if they can.
About St John
St John provides emergency ambulance services to 90% of New Zealanders and covers 97% of the country’s geographical area. It received more than 500,000 calls to 111 Emergency Control Centres and treated and/or transported almost 500,000 patients in the last financial year (end June 2019). St John is made up of a mix of full-time paid employees and volunteer staff.
St John has contracts with Ministry of Health and ACC who fund approximately 72% of the operating costs for the ambulance service. The remaining 28% is funded through emergency ambulance part charges, fundraising and donations.
St John’s fundraising and commercial activities also support the organisation’s charitable community programmes.
About ASB and St John
ASB and St John have enjoyed a strong partnership since 2008.
All ASB branches are equipped with an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and have AED-trained staff ready to help in an emergency.
In 2016, ASB became the new sponsor of ‘ASB St John in Schools,’ a first aid programme, delivered in partnership with ACC, which teaches Kiwi children life-saving skills and the confidence to take action in an emergency.
ASB staff volunteer on St John Area Committees, at local St John events, or as Caring Callers. They contribute to St John Annual Appeal fundraising campaigns.
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