The Order of St John in Waimarino has received a $10,000 boost for its much needed health shuttle bus thanks to the local branch of the Road Transport Association.
Two “Ride in a Truck” days held in Raetihi and Wanganui raised funds for community groups such as the Order of St John reports the Wanganui Chronicle.
According to Hooker Pacific central regional manager Blaine Pritchard there were eight trucks involved and around 2000 passengers who paid $2 for a ride.
“We had a lot of bums on seats at both events, so it was a good effort.
“The contributions from sponsors was fantastic and we surpassed the $8,000 we raised in 2012,” says Pritchard.
The St John Waimarino health shuttle ferries local people to appointments at Wanganui and Palmerston North Hospitals, and travels more than 35,000km annually.
St John Waimarino chairman Ben Goddard told the Wanganui Chronicle it was a wonderful partnership between the transport industry and the community which helped raise funds as well as awareness.
“People might get annoyed with these bring trucks on our roads but they bring a lot of prosperity to the region, and it was great to see people wanting to ride in them.
“Its funny to see the adults who have brought their children along hanging back, and then they couldn’t resist getting on and having a ride themselves,” says Goddard.
Pritchard says it was good for the public to get a different perspective of life on the road.
“We’re very high up and people who had never been in a big truck before really enjoyed the view.”
