Te Awamutu health shuttle service gains second Mercedes van

From left: Lyn McNickle, Robyn Atherton, Helen Neale, Evan Davidson, Murray Johnson, Chris Johnstone, Murray Olson, Eoin Morrison, Nick Tautari and Morris Griffin.

Earlier this year we reported on the success of fundraising for a new van for the Te Awamutu Community Health Transport Trust.

Prior to Covid lockdown, the trust was able to receive and bless the new Mercedes van to replace the 2011 Ford Transit that has seen nearly a decade of service.

Then the service went on hold due to the Covid alert level restriction, but the vehicle was put to good use by the Western Waikato Emergency Operation Centre.

Post-lockdown, the trust was able to reinstate their valuable service — and the generosity of funders and donors for the original campaign meant the committee was in a position to also look at replacing their second vehicle, a Toyota van.

Chairwoman Robyn Atherton says the support was overwhelming and to be able to complete the fleet with matching new Mercedes vans was a fantastic result.

She says the two new vans will enable the trust to provide an excellent level of service for clients for many years to come.

The fundraising began in March 2019 and was initiated by Rosetown Lions.
Because it was a large project, they invited the assistance of the Lions clubs of Te Awamutu, Te Awamutu Pakeke, Ohaupo- Ngahinapouri and Kihikihi to join them.

At the time Rosetown Lions president Paula McWha said the Community Health Shuttle project had been well supported by all and was an excellent way for the public to help Lions assist others.

A working group was formed comprising Murray Wallis, Melva Williamson, Chris Johnstone, Dianne Burgess and Robert McWha.

They conducted their research and decided to purchase a Mercedes Sprinter from Hamilton's Ingham Prestige, which offered an excellent discount and provided an electronic side door for the van free of charge.

Lions raised $30,000 via grants and fundraising activities supported by the public.
Major donations came from Milestone Foundation, DV Bryant Trust and Trust Waikato, plus the Irwin family.

It was the success of the fundraising that brought about the decision to replace the second vehicle, which was blessed recently and is now also in service.

Vans are signwritten to acknowledge the major contributions that enabled their purchase and ongoing service.

Robyn also thanked the 37 volunteers who ensure clients are well looked after in their time of need.

Backing the group is the trust which she chairs — Janet Livingston, Murray Wallis, Murray Olson, Chris Johnstone, Teresa Wood and new trustee Eoin Morrison, who recently replaced Irene Wardlaw. Irene had served for nine years since the founding of the service.