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Toy ambulances turn into a real one for Canterbury
Toy ambulances turn into a real one for Canterbury
New Zealanders have helped turn block set toy ambulances into a much needed ambulance for Canterbury following ASB’s successful St John Toy Ambulance fundraising campaign.
The recent campaign saw more than 23,000 toy ambulances sold, and additional donations made, to help put a real ambulance on the road as part of the St John fleet.
Unveiled in Christchurch at 2:00pm on Monday 29 February at the St John Training Centre in Christchurch, the full-size, fully-equipped ambulance was unveiled from an ambulance-sized toy box resembling a giant version of the small, block-set toy box the toy ambulances came in.
A national campaign benefitting the Canterbury community, the full-size ambulance is road-ready and will remain for use within the region.
ASB Executive General Manager Marketing & Communications Roger Beaumont is thankful to New Zealanders across the country for getting involved and helping ASB support their charity partner St John through the toy ambulance campaign.
“We are delighted to provide the ambulance to the Canterbury region. The region has endured some tough times over the past few years - and continues to do so. We see this as a very practical way to continue to show ASB’s and ASB’s customers’ support for the region,” Mr Beaumont says.
“Both ASB and St John are thrilled with the outcome of the toy ambulance campaign. We’ve been overwhelmed with interest and it has been great to hear how much New Zealanders and their children have enjoyed the toys,” Mr Beaumont says.
St John Director of Commercial Services Peter Loveridge appreciates the support ASB, its customers and New Zealand have given to St John through the toy ambulance campaign.
“St John is very appreciative of the support our key partner ASB has given us. With the help of both ASB and New Zealanders the toy ambulance campaign was a success and will mean more funds to help to continue our vital emergency services in local communities,” Mr Loveridge explained.
The toy ambulances were sold at ASB branches nationally and online during November and December 2015.
Generosity leads to bonus ambulance
ASB’s St John Toy Ambulance campaign received a significant boost when an ASB customer donated money to buy a new, fully equipped ambulance and a rapid response vehicle to be based in Northern Region.
The tremendous generosity was inspired by the toy ambulance campaign. The additional ambulance will be ready for the road in the coming months and will be dedicated to the ASB customer’s late father.
ASB and St John
ASB and St John have enjoyed a strong and positive partnership since 2008. ASB is involved with St John in many ways; from volunteering on area committees or as Caring Callers, to contributing to the St John Annual Appeal fundraising. Additionally, all ASB branches nationwide are equipped with an AED (or heart defibrillator) and AED-trained ASB staff.
St John numbers
With 455,000 ambulance calls; 428,000 patients cared for and nearly 20 million kilometres travelled in the past year alone, St John ambulances and their paramedics are at the frontline of emergency services.
St John has more than 19,000 paid / volunteer staff and 660 ambulances stationed throughout the country, responding to approximately 1,200 emergency calls daily, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
ENDS
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