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.
