Latest news with #HatoHoneStJohn
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Automotive
- NZ Herald
New ambulances for Northland: Hato Hone St John unveils 3 vehicles for region's communities
Threenew Hato Hone St John vehicles will be hitting the roads to support Northlanders in need. Two emergency ambulances are destined for Otamatea and Bream Bay, and a patient transfer service ambulance will be based in Kawakawa. The additions were made possible because of support from Grassroots Trust,
Otago Daily Times
17-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Couple's plan now reality
A Timaru couple's generosity has seen Hato Hone St John in Timaru take delivery of a brand new, fully kitted-out ambulance. Friends and family members gathered at the St John ambulance station on Wai-iti Rd on Friday to witness Timaru man Gordon Prowse hand over the keys to the new vehicle on behalf of himself and his late wife Robin. The donation had links to Mr Prowse's decades of involvement with the AFS Intercultural Learning Organisation, which began as the American Ambulance Field Service, a volunteer ambulance corps that rescued wounded soldiers during both World War 1 and World War 2. Mr Prowse spoke to the gathering, saying the AFS had saved many lives of wounded soldiers. "St John personnel here are similarly saving lives and rescuing victims, and this will hopefully ease the fundraising that dominates so many health services in New Zealand." He said the couple had supported their three children and a number of other charities over the years, but a combination of living thriftily, paying into insurance policies and making good investments meant he was now in a position to put the couple's long-held plan into action. Both Mr and Mrs Prowse's names appear on Ambulance 933. St John area watch operations manager Shelly Flintoff said the new ambulance would enable paramedics and first responders to deliver lifesaving care faster and more effectively than ever before, ensuring the right care reached the right place at the right time. "When I first started with St John 30-plus years ago, my first ambulance was a dodgy old Bedford, with basic equipment, a back-breaking stretcher, and a heavy defibrillator. "Today, the technology is phenomenal, but a state-of-the-art vehicle is more than steel and wheels and sirens, it is a symbol of your belief in our community. "This is an incredible legacy to leave. On behalf of every life that will be touched, saved and uplifted, thank you for your generosity. You are making a real and lasting difference." Mr and Mrs Prowse came to Timaru in 1972 and Mr Prowse taught for 30 years at Timaru Boys' High School, returning as a long-term reliever after officially retiring. He also taught at Opihi College and Timaru Girls' High School. Mrs Prowse also trained as a teacher, but her 26-year career in Timaru was as an administrator, working in the office at Boys' High and as secretary to the board of trustees for both Timaru Boys' and Timaru Girls' High Schools. Finding himself meeting mostly other teachers, Mr Prowse became involved with AFS and learning about the origins of the organisation planted the seed of the ambulance donation. "Robin and I both thought it was a good idea, and five or so years ago, before Covid-19, we decided that instead of giving the usual money to the usual charities, we'd pool it ... we wanted it to be local, and we picked St John. "I went along to a men's club meeting, and Gordon Handy [St John governor] was speaking about the organisation, so I went up to him and said I'd like to buy an ambulance." Ambulance 933 will spend two years based in Timaru and then be circulated around other areas.
Otago Daily Times
17-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Cousins' crash deaths prompt efforts to help save lives
After his two young cousins were killed in a car crash, Rob Fleming was motivated to help save lives. Fleming is a Hato Hone St John volunteer first responder and volunteer firefighter in Leeston. He also teaches young people who have driving offences through The Right Track programme. Fleming's volunteer work earned him the inspirational role model award at St John's Time to Shine Awards. 'It came as a big surprise, big shock.' Fleming's cousins Tayla Alexander, 17, and her sister Sunmara, 15, both died after a crash on Christchurch's Summit Rd on November 27, 2019. Tayla was thrown out of the car and died, while Sunmara suffered extensive burns after the fuel tank ruptured and died in hospital on December 13 – her 16th birthday. Fleming was dropping a patient off at Christchurch Hospital as Sunmara was about to be transported to the burns unit at Auckland Hospital. 'That's an image I will never forget,' Fleming said. The driver Levi Phillip Fiddymont was sentenced in 2022 to two years and four months in prison on two charges of dangerous driving causing the deaths. The crash was a major factor in Fleming volunteering his time to The Right Track programme about two years ago. "There had to be something out there that I could lend my experience to and hopefully cause some change,' Fleming said. The programme takes young people who are appearing before the courts and teaches them about the impact of their decisions before they appear for sentencing. 'They see the ambulance, but they don't see what's behind the ambulance. 'They get to know about what happens at the little, small town level with us volunteers. "You actually physically see someone go: 'Oh, wow',' Fleming said. He joined the Rakaia Volunteer Fire Brigade in 2005 and, in 2011, became involved in St John's cadet programme after his son William joined. "He and one of his friends decided they wanted to try the cadets. So I went down and about the third night there, the leader tapped me on the shoulder and said: 'Instead of just sitting there, how about joining?'' Fleming was involved with the cadets for a few years and stopped after his son finished. William is now also a first responder at St John. Fleming moved to Leeston in 2018, shifting to the Leeston Volunteer Fire Brigade and volunteering at Leeston St John as a first responder. Fleming was inspired by his uncles, Noel Thian and Ray Wasley, who were former chiefs of the Leeston brigade. 'They really instilled the whole ethos of volunteering, and it stuck with me.' When not volunteering, Fleming works as a pest controller. 'Luckily, I've got a very understanding wife (Kathryn) and a good support network.'
NZ Herald
16-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Northland mobile AED business named The Pick 2025 winner
Nearly 70 entrepreneurs with new businesses or business ideas signed up to this year's The Pick, taking part in an eight-week journey learning how to refine their ideas and take them to market. From there, 28 businesses entered the competition and six finalists were chosen to pitch their concepts in a Dragon's Den-style finals night on July 10. McInnes said Keys ticked all the boxes with MAED Innovations: a smartphone-integrated AED with the potential to save lives both in New Zealand and internationally. The first runner-up was awarded to Shane Stewart of Stewart Piping for his innovative bagpipe chanter. Second runner-up was awarded to Helen Horrocks of Girls Got Game, a coaching programme to encourage female confidence in boating. Frank Manifold also received a Highly Commended award for his natural anti-fouling system for watercraft. Keys said joining The Pick not only helped her learn more about running a business but has given her many opportunities for MEAD Innovations. The Pick 2025 finalists were Frank Manifold, Shane Stewart, winner Georgia Keys, Helen Horrocks, Jess and David Croft, and Jodeci Jusharna, with facilitator Tania McInnes. The Paihia mother-of-five is a first responder with Hato Hone St John and was inspired to buy an AED after attending an incident where a young woman died from cardiac arrest. However, when Keys started researching, she found AEDs cost thousands of dollars, putting them out of reach for most people. She designed a mobile AED device, no bigger than a power bank, to cost around $400 to $500. The first prototype is now being developed by the University of Canterbury. 'The whole point is to create a device that everyone can afford to have in their vehicles,' she said. Keys said she is now seeking investors and hopes to sell MEAD to 5% of all smartphone users in New Zealand, Australia and the US. Potential investors can contact her on for more information. Her prize package from The Pick includes growth adviser support from Northland Inc, registration of her business with New Zealand Companies Office and other sponsorship. This year's The Pick was delivered in partnership with NorthChamber, MSD and Whāriki - Māori Business Network Aotearoa, with more than 60% of participants identifying as Māori. The Pick 2025 Pitch Night on July 10 was held at Whangārei District Council's Te Iwitahi building and attended by more than 70 people. Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
Otago Daily Times
16-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Keeping young people on the right track
After his two young cousins were killed in a car crash, Rob Fleming was motivated to help save lives. Fleming is a Hato Hone St John volunteer first responder and volunteer firefighter in Leeston. He also teaches young people who have driving offences through The Right Track programme. Fleming's volunteer work earned him the inspirational role model award at St John's Time to Shine Awards. 'It came as a big surprise, big shock.' Fleming's cousins Tayla Alexander, 17, and her sister Sunmara, 15, both died after a crash on Summit Rd on November 27, 2019. Tayla was thrown out of the car and died, while Sunmara suffered extensive burns after the fuel tank ruptured and died in hospital on December 13 – her 16th birthday. Fleming was dropping a patient off at Christchurch Hospital as Sunmara was about to be transported to the burns unit at Auckland Hospital. 'That's an image I will never forget,' Fleming said. The driver Levi Phillip Fiddymont was sentenced in 2022 to two years and four months in prison on two charges of dangerous driving causing the deaths. The crash was a major factor in Fleming volunteering his time to The Right Track programme about two years ago. "There had to be something out there that I could lend my experience to and hopefully cause some change,' Fleming said. The programme takes young people who are appearing before the courts and teaches them about the impact of their decisions before they appear for sentencing. 'They see the ambulance, but they don't see what's behind the ambulance. 'They get to know about what happens at the little, small town level with us volunteers. "You actually physically see someone go: 'Oh, wow',' Fleming said. He joined the Rakaia Volunteer Fire Brigade in 2005 and, in 2011, became involved in St John's cadet programme after his son William joined. "He and one of his friends decided they wanted to try the cadets. So I went down and about the third night there, the leader tapped me on the shoulder and said: 'Instead of just sitting there, how about joining?'' Fleming was involved with the cadets for a few years and stopped after his son finished. William is now also a first responder at St John. Fleming moved to Leeston in 2018, shifting to the Leeston Volunteer Fire Brigade and volunteering at Leeston St John as a first responder. Fleming was inspired by his uncles, Noel Thian and Ray Wasley, who were former chiefs of the Leeston brigade. 'They really instilled the whole ethos of volunteering, and it stuck with me.' When not volunteering, Fleming works as a pest controller. 'Luckily, I've got a very understanding wife (Kathryn) and a good support network.'
