Rescue group gets $500

Press, 9 May 1984, Page 26

Rescue group gets $500

An anonymous gift of $5OO has been made to the OtiraArthurs Pass Search and Rescue Society. The society’s president, Mrs Ranui Ngarimu, said the $5OO was received with a letter. The donor said the money came from someone who was no stranger to the society’s services. A friend had fallen to his death in an accident, and a tramping companion had been lifted out by helicopter after becoming ill. “I hope thE donation will enable the provEion of a new stretcher for your organEation,” the letter said.

Mrs Ngarimu said she had been approached recently by a man who had asked what equipment the society needed but who had declined to give hE name, saying he intended to send the society a donation. “We are really pleased to receive the donation,” Mrs Ngarimu said. She said she had told the caller the society was raEing funds for a scoop stretcher, which would cost about $5OO. This enabled a patient to be put on a stretcher without being lifted. However, the police had since decided to give the stretcher to the society.

“We will be able to use the money to upgrade or invest in new equipment for the society,” Mrs Ngarimu said. She said it could be spent on new ropes, but no decEion had yet been made.