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$1,542,651 DISTRIBUTED TO OUR COMMUNITIES IN 2026
$19,118,087 TOTAL DISTRIBUTED TO OUR COMMUNITIES

A new ambulance for our community

The Auckland Foundation team attended a dedication ceremony for Hato Hone St John’s newest ambulance, gifted by the Helmarc Foundation.

Gathered around the brand-new vehicle at the St John archives, the Auckland Foundation team met with St John for a ceremony to bless the new ambulance that will soon join the rest of the network, helping to provide life-saving services in our communities.

The ceremony began with speeches from the St John fundraising team, who spoke passionately about the impact this vehicle will have on increasing their support for those when they need it most.

The team also took us through the history of St John and the key role they play in our region providing emergency and community health services. With over 500,000 ambulance calls received last year, it is essential that St John has a fleet of state-of-the-art vehicles to reach people when they need support.

This was echoed by an incredible paramedic who shared how this new ambulance enables their teams and the wider system to better respond to calls. The paramedic mentioned how a single new vehicle not only provides its own direct impact but also allows the entire system to operate more efficiently and react to the constantly evolving needs of the network.

We were privileged to tour the ambulance with the paramedic running us through the latest technology equipped onboard that allows for safer experiences for both patients and paramedics. This includes equipment such as powered stretchers that are easier to move, can access difficult to reach locations and reduces the risk of injury to paramedics – which was cited as a common issue that is faced across the network.

In recent news, we have seen the immense pressure that our ambulance services are under. St John reported in August that they received a record-breaking number of 111 calls with Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, in particular, facing intense pressure due to the demand.

This new ambulance will provide the crucial support needed during this challenging period and far into the future. Auckland Foundation on behalf of the Helmarc Foundation is proud to support St John and their vital work.

Thank you to the team at St John for having us at this important moment.

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