Hato Hone St John have expressed their appreciation to local businessman and philanthropist Steven Wong after donating a new First Response Unit (FRU) vehicle.
Wong’s FRU Vehicle will support Eketahuna, a small rural settlement in the Tararua ranges with a population of 1700 people, and its wider community.
Hato Hone St John is a charitable organisation dedicated to providing emergency medical services.
The official dedication ceremony was held last week, February 21 at the Hato Hone St John Archives in Mt Wellington.
The event was hosted by Michelle Miles, the donor care coordinator for Hato Hone St John, who welcomed everyone to the ceremony.
Richard Blundell KStJ, the Patron of the Hato Hone St John Northern Region Trust Board, delivered a speech expressing his gratitude towards the donors and their contribution towards the betterment of the community.
Traditionally, before an ambulance or any emergency vehicle is put into service, it must go through a grand religious consecration ceremony presided over by the clergy.
In attendance were the donors, relatives, and friends as well as representatives from Hato Hone St John who all witnessed the ceremony.
The dedication ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the First Response Unit (FRU) vehicle, which was designed to best handle rural conditions.
FRU is a fit-for-purpose vehicle and can get to the scene of emergency as quickly as possible to provide medical care and to arrange a connection with transport to the nearest hospital if required.
“Every life counts and every second counts whether it’s an accident, a stroke or a flood,” Hato Hone St John said.
“This generous gift from Wong and his family will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the Hato Hone St John organisation and the community they serve.”
