Huge disappointment
St John Ambulance station replacement fundraising committee is devastated by the news that the Lotteries Commission has turned down their funding application.
New Zealand Lotteries has advised the fundraising committee for the Pahiatua St John Ambulance station replacement that they would not be providing assistance with any funding.
They had more applications than funding available and the project did not fit their criteria for community use.
The Lotteries Commission requires that any community building that they provide funding assistance for must have a large community use and be available for as many community groups to use as possible.
“Our committee has now made two applications, both of which have been declined,” said Chair of the fundraising committee David Lea.
“This is despite the committee arguing that an ambulance station is not suitable for use by many community groups as it contains private medical records, medicinal drugs and highly expensive equipment, not to mention housing ambulances and up to four full time staff 24/7.
“The committee also argued that a building such as this affected every single person in the district as everyone had access to the ambulance that the building housed.
“Unfortunately, these arguments did not persuade the lotteries commission to change their minds.
“The committee is extremely disappointed with this outcome as they were relying on obtaining around $250,000 from this source, which would have allowed the building to go to tender immediately.”
Lea stated that he is devastated by the news and cannot believe that the
Lotteries Commission has viewed this application in this manner.
“What more important community facility can there be than an ambulance station in a small rural community such as ours,” he said.
“It seems that sports facilities and other facilities for youth or arts organisations take precedence over health facilities such as ours.
“I ask is it more important that our town has a swimming pool [referring to the upcoming upgrading of the towns swimming facilities, budgeted to cost over $2 million] or an ambulance station?
“It seems to me that the older and more infirm we become, the more we are ignored, which I believe is an indictment on our society. “So, where to from here. “We have certainly not given up the challenge. We have over $650,000 which we have raised so far. That is a lot of money for such a small community and we are reaching out to everyone to help us.
“Perhaps there is a benefactor out there who is prepared to leave a legacy and help us out. Perhaps our community Trusts will be open to helping with a little more than they have so generously done already. Perhaps all those who have intended to make a personal donation will now come forward and do so.
“What I do know is that we live in a generous community and we have a huge reputation for helping ourselves. This project will be no different.
“All ideas (and donations) will be greatly appreciated and with any luck, we will be celebrating our new facilities opening in no time at all.
“Or perhaps we could win Lotto,” David said.