BLACKCAPS encourage Kiwis to support St John team

Joint NZ Cricket and St John media release, 1 April 2009

BLACKCAPS encourage Kiwis to support St John team

The BLACKCAPS and New Zealand Cricket are encouraging New Zealanders to donate to St John, a charity providing vital ambulance and community services in New Zealand.

“St John people do an incredible job every day of the year, saving lives and enriching the lives of hundreds of thousands of people all over the country,” NZ Cricket President Don Neely said today.

“BLACKCAPS and NZ Cricket strongly encourage all New Zealanders to dig deep and give to the charity that influences so many sectors of our society. Just as the BLACKCAPS rely on Kiwi support to cheer them on at test matches and one day events, St John relies heavily on the support of communities,” Mr Neely says.

St John Chief Executive Jaimes Wood says many people do not realise that St John is a charity and assume ambulance services are fully government funded.  “We receive core funding for our ambulance operations from Crown funding agencies, but we rely on the community to join with us to raise funds to provide our full services.”

“We fundraise in partnership with the public to pay for all our capital requirements, including ambulances and ambulance stations, and to help make up our annual shortfall in ambulance operations funding.  Last year this shortfall was around $10 million; this year it is expected to be more than $12 million – as patient demand and chronic health conditions continue to increase,” Mr Wood says.

St John is the BLACKCAPS charity of choice, with both organisations working together to promote community participation and the vital work of St John.

St John and New Zealand Cricket representatives meet today with key stakeholders including MPs and the Chairman and President of the International Cricket Council (ICC).  The ICC encourages member nations to be involved in charitable and community service activities.  Today's function is part of the ICC's Centenary "Catch the Spirit" week of events in New Zealand.

Making a donation to St John is a simple, positive and lasting way to help St John care for your community and enhance the health and well-being of New Zealanders.  There are five ways to donate:

Phone 0900 ST JOHN (0900 785 646) to make an automatic $20 donation
Text CARE to 883 to make a $3 donation to St John
Make an online donation at www.stjohn.org.nz
Join the St John Supporter Scheme
Post a cheque to the nearest St John regional office.
For more information about St John, go to www.stjohn.org.nz or phone 0800 ST JOHN (0800 785 646)

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