Last year St John treated and transported over 425,000 patients in an ambulance. During the St John Annual Appeal, the charity is asking New Zealanders to help buy more ambulances and lifesaving equipment.
“Demand for our services has never been greater and as a charity we rely on the generosity of the communities we serve. We never take their trust and support for granted,” said Peter Bradley, St John Chief Executive.
From preschool children and rest home residents dressing in green to volunteers shaking buckets outside supermarkets, fundraising activities will be in full swing across the country during St John Annual Appeal week 4-10 April. .
It costs more than $180,000 to buy a fully equipped yellow ambulance, while an advanced life support defibrillator is worth approximately $40,000 and a Stryker ambulance stretcher $15,000.
“Emergency health care has developed significantly in recent years and its imperative St John continues to raise funds for the latest equipment and ambulances so we can provide quality care for our patients,” said Mr Bradley.
“Every contribution will help us make a difference in the community.”
Donations can be made at www.stjohnappeal.org.nz and at ASB branches, Briscoes and Rebel Sports stores during Appeal week. St John collectors will be in communities throughout New Zealand, and Z Energy stations are raising funds by selling St John sticking plasters.
ASB Head of Community and Sponsorship, Mark Graham is looking forward to seeing volunteers from ASB and St John collecting together during the appeal.
“ASB has a longstanding partnership with St John, and each year it’s a privilege to be involved in their annual appeal. ASB staff throughout the country are heavily involved with the charity and enjoy making a difference in their local communities,” Mark Graham said.
St John staff and volunteers will be out with collection buckets throughout New Zealand (4-10 April). Donations can also be made by calling 0800 ST JOHN (0800 785 646), or visiting www.stjohnappeal.org.nz or at any ASB branch.
-ENDS-
ST JOHN FACTS:
- It costs approximately $2,740 to run one ambulance per day
- It costs $181,981 for a new yellow ambulance
- St John received 455,000, 111 emergency ambulance calls in the last year
- St John treated and/or transported 428,319 patients in the last year
- St John travelled nearly 20 million kilometres in the past year
- St John ambulances and their paramedics are at the frontline of emergency services.
- St John is 24 hours a day and 365 days a year
- For the second year in a row St John was voted New Zealand’s Most Trusted Charity in the Readers Digest Most Trusted Brands Awards 2015
- St John is the largest primary healthcare provider in New Zealand
- St John is made up of a mix of full-time paid employees and volunteer staff.
- Our community and commercial programmes range from first aid training, health shuttleservices, Friends of the Emergency Department, Caring Caller telephone service, monitored medical alarms, Outreach Therapy Pets and a St John Youth Programme.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND IMAGES CONTACT:
Robbie Walker
St John Communications Advisor National & Northern Region
T 09 579 1015 I X 8746 I F 09 526 0553 | M 027 2909764
E robbie.walker@stjohn.org.nz
Mark Tregoweth
St John Communications Advisor Central Region
T 06 355 7792 I X 5792 I F 06 355 7795 | M 027 549 9568
E mark.tregoweth@stjohn.org.nz
Ian Henderson
St John Communications Advisor South Island Region
T 03 353 7110 I X 3222 I F 03 353 7112 | M 027 436 2528
E ian.henderson@stjohn.org.nz