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New emergency response vehicle for New Zealand Red Cross

Thursday 19 June 2008, 4:40PM

By New Zealand Red Cross

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New Zealand Red Cross
New Zealand Red Cross Credit: New Zealand Red Cross

CHRISTCHURCH

The New Zealand Red Cross Response Team, based in Christchurch, will be better equipped to meet the needs of the community in future, thanks to their new emergency response vehicle.

Telecom has purchased the vehicle for New Zealand Red Cross as part of its Community Connection sponsorship programme. The programme provides up to 1000 charitable organisations with a total of $5 million in support each year.

Canterbury Red Cross Response Team leader Anna Munro says the new vehicle will make a huge difference for her team of 24 volunteers. The team is made up of experienced volunteers who are trained to provide welfare assistance to the community in emergency and disaster situations.

Ms Munro says the new vehicle, which replaces an older landrover, will be a lot more versatile and easier to drive as it is a 4WD ute.

"The new vehicle offers better storage options for transporting equipment safely," says Ms Munro.

Dean Schmidt, Telecom Head of Government and Community Relations, says he hopes the new vehicle will provide a boost to the morale of the hard working and generous Red Cross volunteers.

"These volunteers give up their own time to work as part of the Red Cross Response Team and they do a wonderful job. We are extremely supportive of this initiative," says Mr Schmidt.

Ms Munro says when Canterbury and surrounding districts were blanketed by snow during the winter of 2007 her team was kept busy traveling to the affected areas and knocking on doors to check people were safe while also delivering essential equipment such as generators.

She says if a similar event occurred this winter the new emergency response vehicle would be ideal for reaching affected communities and delivering vital supplies.

New Zealand Red Cross Canterbury West Coast Regional Manager Graham Wrigley says the support from Telecom and its Community Connection programme has made the new vehicle a reality for the Response Team volunteers.

"The new vehicle will enable our team to get to people quickly and safely when disaster strikes or during an emergency situation," says Mr Wrigley.

The Canterbury Red Cross Response Team officially received the vehicle yesterday, which coincided with celebrations for Volunteer Awareness Week.

Ms Munro says Volunteer Awareness Week is an opportunity for New Zealand Red Cross to recognise the valuable work their volunteers do and acknowledge that without them their work would not be possible.

"Seven days a week, 365 days a year, New Zealand Red Cross volunteers work in communities around the country making a difference."