Moore Wilsons helps out ambulance cause

The new station being built in Masterton by Wellington Free Ambulance [WFA] has a new backer supporting it, in the form of a donation for $100,000 from regional grocery business Moore Wilsons.

Moore Wilsons director Julie Moore said the connection to local community was what motivated the act of generosity.

“As part of our community commitment, we’ve recently moved all Automated External Defibrillators [AEDs] outside of the stores to ensure everyone has access and we are going to have all our staff trained in CPR through the Lloyd Morrison Foundation Heartbeat Programme,” Moore said.

“It was a natural next step to support the Wairarapa Ambulance Station as a hugely vital asset across the region.”

This donation takes WFA’s fundraising campaign for the new station – which is being built on the corner of Queen and Russell Sts – to $7.3 million raised so far, bringing the organisation closer to its goal of $7.5 million.

WFA general manager for fundraising and communications Claire Carruthers said that local support towards the cause, and the partnership between Moore Wilsons and WFA was wonderful.

“Not only are Moore Wilson’s giving a significant contribution to our much needed new station but Julie and her family are supporting their staff, customers and their whole community with lifesaving CPR training and public access to an AED,” Carruthers said.

“It is a partnership to support lifesaving services to our communities.”

The Wairarapa ambulance station will be IL4 rated, meaning it will be built in order to be functional and operational should a civil emergency or natural disaster occur.

It is expected that the station will open towards the end of this year, and begin operation as the central hub for all emergency ambulance response in the region.