Hato Hone St John are encouraging Waihī locals to take part in a 111 fundraising challenge to raise money for a new ambulance station in the township.

“The replacement of the old station has been planned for some time. It was built in the 1970s and was no longer fit for purpose as it didn’t meet modern earthquake standards,” HHStJ group operations manager Coromandel South/Central West Julia Te Huia said.

Te Huia said the construction of the new Johnston St station, which began in January, is progressing well.

Hato Hone St John are encouraging Waihī locals to take part in a 111 fundraising challenge to raise money for a new ambulance station in the township.

“A new building for our first responders, local area committee members and our health shuttle service, is a dream come true, and I’m pleased to say we are still on track to have the construction work completed by mid-year.”

Until the new station opens, all Waihī ambulance operations have temporarily moved to 32 Haszard St.

“The refurbishment will play a vital role in the healthcare of the community and provide our people with a modern ambulance station. It will serve the people of Waihī and the surrounding district well for years to come,” Te Huia said.

Last year’s HHStJ Light the Way Annual Appeal raised funds for 14 station builds and repairs around the country. Waihī was one of those stations.

“However, the majority of money raised so far has come via wonderful fundraising initiatives – for which we are so grateful,” Te Huia said.

The latest fundraising campaign, the Waihī 111 Challenge, is hoping to raise $111,000.

Waihi HHStJ Area Committee chairwoman and passionate baker Kris Purden has pledged to bake 111 muffins throughout March.

“I bake all the time for family and different charity groups so I thought why not do something that I love doing and hopefully it will make someone’s day,” Purden said.

A supporter of HHStJ for the past 10 years, Purden said her first batch of muffins will be delivered on Monday to contractors working on the new ambulance station.

A former teacher, Purden believes in helping people and lives by the motto “BTB”.

“It’s a simple thing I like to live by, to make someone’s day ‘Better than Before’.”

Purden said she hopes to raise at least $500 during March. Donations can be made here.

“Our local heroes at the Waihī station are dedicated to serving their community, and they deserve to have facilities that are better suited to their everyday operations,” Te Huia said.

How does the Waihī 111 Challenge work?

Set yourself a ‘111 Challenge’ by allocating yourself a goal that incorporates the number 111.

The challenge could be a single event or spread out over the month of March.

For example, you could:

Once you’ve set yourself a challenge, visit the Hato Hone St John fundraising page here.