St John drives some big vehicles, but even we have to bow before the big jets of the United States Antarctic Program!
The Christchurch Seattle Sister City Association and the Christchurch China Sister City Committee recently gave $52,000 to St John, which was used to purchase the rapid response vehicle seen in this photo.
The US Antarctic Program last week generously added to that with an additional $2,000, so we took the new rapid response along to the Program's base at Christchurch International Airport, where it was ever-so-slightly dwarfed by the Program's own form of transport.
The initial $52,000 was a special donation from the Christchurch Seattle Sister City Association and the Christchurch China Sister City Committee joining together to support St John and, by extension, the community of Christchurch.
The money was raised by the Sister City organisations in the city of Seattle, and the city of Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, in the People's Republic of China.
Sister Cities spokesperson Brian Palliser said that over the years both cities have developed "very special relationships with Christchurch and never was this more apparent than in the overwhelming support received from them following the February earthquake.
"Both Sister Cities unanimously pledged their support to Christchurch, and took the initiative to collaborate and work together to combine the two donations received," he says.
David Thomas, St John General Manager South Island, says the rapid response vehicle generously donated by the two Sister City groups will play a key role in Christchurch's ongoing recovery, says Mr Thomas.
"St John is dedicated to the long-term recovery of Christchurch. The donation of this rapid response vehicle, and the additional $2,000 from the team at the United States Antarctic Program, will play a huge role in this recovery, as it allows us to maintain our fleet of emergency and health care vehicles. We'd like to thank all the groups involved for their wonderful generosity."
For more information, please contact Ian Henderson, Communications and Promotions Coordinator, on 0274 362 528, or email ian.henderson@stjohn.org.nz