A new emergency ambulance is serving Hamilton and surrounding communities, thanks to funding from long-standing supporters, Grassroots Trust Limited.
The Generation 4 emergency ambulance was blessed during a special ceremony at Hato Hone St John’s Ngāruawāhia ambulance station on 21 April, and attended by Grassroots Trust representatives, Hato Hone St John Order members, ambulance staff, fundraising team members, and local iwi.
The new vehicle is fitted with modern equipment including a power-load electric stretcher and stair carry chair, which will help make it easier and safer to move patients in and out of the vehicle.
Hato Hone St John has been serving New Zealand communities for over 140 years and Hamilton Area Operations Manager Adrian Gavin, says the team is humbled by the ongoing support from Grassroots Trust which helps empower frontline staff to continue providing high-quality emergency and urgent care.
“We are incredibly grateful. Every new vehicle is a boost for our staff and patients. It helps our people get to where we are needed most and allows us to continue helping others in their time of crisis. In its lifetime, the ambulance will travel around half a million kilometres which is no small feat.”
Grassroots Trust has been a valued supporter of Hato Hone St John for many years and since 2022 they have funded more than $4.5 million for vehicles and equipment. Their generosity has contributed to the donation of 26 vehicles across the North Island including Generation 4 ambulances, Major Incident Support Team (MIST) vehicles, Patient Transfer Service (PTS) vehicles, Complex Patient Ambulances, and lifesaving equipment including defibrillators.
Martin Bradley, Executive Chairman of Grassroots Trust Limited, says the organisation is proud of its long running and significant contribution to Hato Hone St John.
“We recognise the vital lifesaving work that ambulance officers carry out in our communities every day and we want to make a tangible and meaningful difference that honours their work while benefiting as many people as we can.”
Workload in the Waikato region has been rising year on year, with more than 13,700 emergency ambulance callouts in Hamilton alone last year. In the lifetime of the new ambulance, it is expected to respond to over 30,000 incidents.
ENDS
About Hato Hone St John:
• Hato Hone St John provides emergency ambulance services to 90 percent of people in New Zealand across 97 percent of the country.
• Hato Hone St John is made up of a mix of full-time paid staff and volunteers.
• Along with the emergency ambulance service, Hato Hone St John operates a significant number of community health programmes and other activities which help build community resilience. They include Waka Ora Health Shuttles, ASB Caring Caller, St John Youth, and St John in Schools.
• Hato Hone St John also delivers event health services, medical alarm services, first aid training, and operates retail stores across the country.
For further information please contact:
Hato Hone St John media team
PH: 0800 756 334 | E: media@stjohn.org.nz
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