Putaruru Red Cross given service boost

They may be looking blue but Putaruru Red Cross volunteers are certainly happy about recent service improvements.

The 29 volunteers, who cover Putaruru, Tirau, Arapuni, and Tokoroa, now have new blue uniforms as well as a Suzuki SUV to add to its shuttle service to Waikato Hospital and medical clinics in Hamilton, Rotorua, Tokoroa, and Thames.

‘‘The Red Cross volunteer drivers and support people are looking very smart in their new uniforms,’’ red cross volunteer Dexter Morgan said.

‘‘They currently have 29 volunteers of which 13 are the shuttle drivers. Their strong volunteer base across the whole South Waikato allows for a very diverse service that can cater to the differing appointment times and destination requirements that regularly occur.’’

‘‘Now the organisation has taken delivery of a new Suzuki SUV to help make the service even better,’’ he said.

Morgan said in the last month Red Cross Putaruru volunteers have transported 41 clients, complimenting the Tokoroa St John Shuttle service.

‘‘The service runs entirely by volunteers and relies on donations to survive but their clientele and the local community have been very generous and the service is thriving,’’ he said.

‘‘In the last month they travelled 5570 kilometres.’’

He said the Putaruru Red Cross has a strong committee behind its transport service that also runs many other services including Meals on Wheels.

Morgan thanked the South Waikato District Council for giving the service a community grant which allow for the improvements to be made.

To request a shuttle or to volunteer with the Putaruru Red Cross phone 883 6022. of St John as a joint council and it’s provided relief during some of New Zealand’s worst disasters including the 1918 influenza pandemic, the Hawke’s Bay earthquake and the Tangiwai disaster.

The New Zealand Red Cross is one of 190 Red Cross national societies in the world.