Plans to buy new ambulance deferred

Press, 24 October 1984, Page 9

Plans to buy new ambulance deferred

The Lyttelton St John Ambulance sub-centre has been forced to postpone plans to buy a new ambulance for the district because of a lack of funds. The association had planned to 'buy a new $50,000 ambulance last June but since it began fundraising earlier this year has managed to raise only $12,000. “We have deferred its purchase until next April because we simply do not have the money to pay for it,” said the chairman of the Lyttelton centre, Mr Fred Dawson.

The association had hoped to raise the full amount needed for the ambulance at a Harbourfest held at Lyttelton in February. However, bad weather and the

“economic climate” had contributed to a disappointing . taking, Mr Dawson said.

Several fund-raising events have been planned to raise the additional money needed to replace one of the sub-centre’s two ageing Bedford ambulances. Mr Dawson said most of the money already collected had come from Lyttelton community groups and. maritime unions.

Unfortunately the subcentre was unable to seek donations outside the Lyttelton area as it would be taking money away from other St John Ambulance groups, he said. Shipping companies, with the exception of one Christ-church-based group, had not given money as most were

run by head offices based in other centres. “We, have been most disappointed with the lack of donations from individuals,” Mr Dawson said. The sub-centre has received help from the Canterbury Hospital Board with a grant of $6OOO, part of which was used to offset its annual operating cost of $17,000. The sub-centre has also received grants from the Lyttelton Harbour Board and the Lyttelton Borough Council. Mr Dawson said the delay in buying a new ambulance would not affect the standard of service offered to the community. “We are confident that by next April we will have our new ambulance,” he said.