Three cheers for St John

Gleaming in the sun on the lawn outside St John in Wanganui yesterday were two spectacular new ambulances and a new health shuttle which together cost nearly $500,000.

At a dedication ceremony, the new vehicles were gifted to the service, dedicated and blessed. Dame of the order of St John, Betty Simpson, received the vehicles on behalf of St John and Father John Roberts dedicated them and blessed all those who serve in the order of St John.

A crowd of about 60 people in Tawa St, Gonville, welcomed the new ambulances to the Wanganui fleet, and the new health shuttle for the Wanganui to Palmerston North run.

Deputy mayor Rangi Wills said St John were as relevant now as ever and would always head the list of the most trusted organisations in every national survey.

Wanganui Ambulance station manager John Stretton said St John officers were all about solid teamwork.

"Total professionalism and calm in the midst of crisis - they make order out of chaos."

Funders of the new vehicles were the Lion Foundation, Thomas George Macarthy Trust, Charles and Vera Thrush Trust and the Daly Adams Benefit Trust, along with smaller groups in local communities.