Generous gift boosts ambulance service
Dedicating the new ambulance, from left is Mayor John Funnell, Leo and Susanne Paalvast and John Wakelin CStJ JP, who is a Commander of the Order of St John. Photo: Dan Hutchinson
Retired dairy farmers Leo and Susanne Paalvast have donated an ambulance to St John Ambulance in Taupō and all the equipment to go with it.
The generation 4 vehicle is the newest and most advanced vehicle in the fleet.
The Mount Maunganui couple have strong ties to Taupō and chose to fund the entire package rather than just the vehicle itself, so St John had a fully operational ambulance ready for immediate deployment.
Susanne says they have had a successful dairy farming career and more recently property investments.
“So, we looked for an organisation that didn’t discriminate and helped anyone, anywhere, anytime and St John’s fitted that to a tee.
“So, we decided to donate this wonderful ambulance in front of us to help people and the community of Taupō.”
She says even though they don’t live in Taupō they have a long association with the town.
Leo was born and raised in Taupō and his mother Riek, who is “92 years young” has lived in Taupō for 67 years after immigrating from Holland.
Leo’s younger brother Rod also lives in Taupō.
“We also hope by making this donation it may encourage other people to consider donating to help their communities.”
St John area operations manager Dannelle Taft says the new vehicle is called Waka Manaaki, with Waka represents a vessel or a vehicle, and Manaaki speaking to values of “care, respect, kindness and support".
"Together, Waka Manaaki represents a vessel of compassion, one that carries people not just physically, but with dignity, reassurance and aroha during some of the hardest times of their life."
The ambulance features advanced equipment including a power-loading stretcher and stair chair, which makes moving patients safer and more comfortable for staff.
The donation comes at a crucial time for the Taupo service, which handled 3,561 incidents last year, with 2,550 requiring patient transport. The busiest single day saw crews attend 27 jobs on November 29.
Falls were the most common callout, followed closely by chest pain and breathing difficulties.
"As demand for ambulance service continues to grow, having a modern reliable fleet is incredibly important to us," Dannell says.
Leo says they were partly inspired to donate after seeing other donors’ names on ambulances.
"I'd be quite happy not to have it on there, but I think other people see it, and hopefully it'll nudge a few other people to consider something like this if they're able to, or some other charity.”
Taupō Mayor John Funnell thanked the Paalvasts on behalf of the community.
"It's through people like you that make the commitment to help the likes of St John's that make the difference for the community."