27 April 2012

St John display emergency equipment purchased with Appeal Trust funds

Representatives of the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust today viewed some of the mass casualty incident equipment and resources, emergency vehicles, and medical and emergency equipment purchased by St John with the $2.8 million grant from the Appeal Trust last year.

“Thousands of people from all over the world generously donated to the Appeal and it is heartening to see their donations now helping charities like St John to support the people of Christchurch,” says Ros Burdon, Advisory Board Member of the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust.

David Thomas, St John General Manager South Island, says “We are very pleased to have received the $2.8 million grant made last year from the Trust. The $2.8 million grant was very important for St John,” Mr Thomas says.  “We were able to replace and replenish our emergency equipment and resources following the devastating 22 February 2011 earthquake.  The earthquake was a significant financial challenge. There have been many costs which St John has had to bear and the grant helped immensely."

The Appeal Trust's grant enabled St John to rebuild its emergency response resources after the series of earthquakes which damaged Christchurch, Prime Minister John Key said today at an event to display the new equipment.

On a tour of St John's new South Island headquarters in Orchard Road, Mr Key was shown the vehicles and equipment - including ambulances, defibrillators and medical supplies - the donation has helped the charity to purchase.

Read the Prime Minister's media statement.

Read St John's media statement.