$1 million raised for ambulance station rebuild

TARGET REACHED: Roy Opie paints a roadside thermometer sign at the corner of Warrimoo St and Kapiti Rd, indicating the $1 million fundraising target for the new Paraparaumu ambulance station has been reached.

The fundraising target of $1 million to build the new Wellington Free Ambulance station in Paraparaumu has been reached.

"Donations have flowed in from schools, community groups, businesses, and hundreds of kind Kapiti residents who've literally helped to build the new station," Wellington Free Ambulance chief executive Diana Crossan said.

"We couldn't be more delighted.

"The community has come to the party by giving so generously.

"Now our paramedics will have the space they need to care for the community."

Roy Opie, who has been part of the fundraising committee, thanked everyone who had donated money for the vital project.

"It has been a marvellous experience.

"It's the sort of fundraising I enjoy because you can see the end result - the ambulance going to help someone."

Mr Opie, a builder, also knows first hand how important the service is.

Some years ago, when working on the Otaihanga Boating Club, a ladder collapsed and he fell to the ground breaking a humerus bone.

"The service was unbelievable."

He has kept on eye on the station's construction throughout the months and is impressed.

"It's going to be very good for the ambulance staff and you're going to get a better service."

The new station at 32 Warrimoo St will be officially opened on May 28 with a formal ceremony, and mayor Ross Church will set the Kapiti Community Time Capsule into its 10 year place of rest.

Following the formalities, the whole community is invited to an open day from 11am to 2pm.

"One of the ways we can say thanks to all the people who have helped is to open the doors and show you around," Ms Crossan said.

"We hope the whole community will join us in celebrating the station that you helped us build."

And Kapiti residents are invited to send a note and picture for the Kapiti Community Time Capsule to Wellington Free Ambulance by Friday May 6.

Visit www.wfa.org.nz/buildourstation for information.