A new ambulance for St John

The campaign saw more than 23,000 toy ambulances sold, and additional donations made, to help put a real ambulance on the road.

After being unveiled in Christchurch earlier today, the much-needed ambulance will join the Canterbury fleet tomorrow.

As well as raising the money to buy the ambulance for the Canterbury community, the campaign also inspired an ASB customer to donate money to buy another ambulance and a rapid response vehicle for the Northern Region.

ASB Executive General Manager Marketing & Communications Roger Beaumont is thankful to New Zealanders across the country for getting involved and helping us support our charity partner St John through the ASB Toy Ambulance campaign.

“We are delighted to provide the ambulance to the Canterbury region. The region has endured some tough times over the past few years - and continues to do so. We see this as a very practical way to continue to show ASB’s and ASB’s customers’ support for the region,” Roger says.

“Both ASB and St John are thrilled with the outcome of the Toy Ambulance campaign. We’ve been overwhelmed with interest and it has been great to hear how much New Zealanders and their children have enjoyed the toys."

With 455,000 ambulance calls, 428,000 patients cared for and nearly 20 million kilometres travelled in the past year alone, St John ambulances and their paramedics are at the frontline of emergency services.

But with such high demand for its services, and the country’s growing population, St John needed a new ambulance to join its fleet. For this campaign to achieve that goal, as well as inspire an ASB customer to purchase another ambulance and a rapid response vehicle, is a huge achievement.

St John Director of Commercial Services Peter Loveridge appreciates the support that ASB, its customers and New Zealand have given to St John through the toy ambulance campaign.

“St John is very appreciative of the support our key partner ASB has given us. With the help of both ASB and New Zealanders the toy ambulance campaign was a success and will mean more funds to help to continue our vital emergency services in local communities,” Peter explained.