AMBULANCE APPEAL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20456, 8 November 1934, Page 2

AMBULANCE APPEAL.

Early Response is Below Expectations.

The response this morning to the annual street appeal on behalf of the St John Ambulance Association fell below expectations, but it was hoped by. the organisers that the results would be better later in the day. From 7.30 till noon the street collection realised only £133 11s 9d. The sum of £2OO had been received through the post from business firms and private annual subscribers to the association.

The association was handicapped in its appeal owing to the number of collectors who were available being much smaller than was expected. About fifty city stations were manned and relays of collectors were arranged. Valuable help was given by members of the brigade and by the cadet divisions. C. H. Kersley, secretary of the association, said this morning that unless better support were obtained the association might have to curtail the invalid transport service. For the year ended last Februarv the ambulances responded to 3993 calls, about eleven a day. In spite of such a number of calls, however, only 325 donations were received, so that 3668 of those who were attended failed to contribute. The ambulances travelled 41,160 miles at a cost of £2299. The total amount received in donations was £139 13s 2d. Christchurch city, which was responsible for 2975 calls, gave in donations only £69 16s Sd.

The headquarters of to-day’s appeal are at the Navy League Hall, in Gloucester Street.