St John's Ambulance volunteers in Maitland have welcomed the delivery of a new service vehicle and stretcher.
The new equipment was purchased using two grants totaling $60,000, via the NSW Government's Community Building Partnership Program.
The grants are offered annually in support of community infrastructure projects which yield social, environmental or recreational rewards for the community.
The 2021 round saw 19 local organisations across the Maitland region secure funding.
Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison, said she was honoured to recommend St Johns for the grant.
"It was really exciting for them to receive this funding," Ms Aitchison said.
"Community groups are working so hard in our community. It's nice to be able to help them with fundraising for projects to help them, help others."
The funding comes off the back of recent flooding in the region, which saw volunteers going the extra mile to serve the community.
Rather than transporting patients, the four-wheel drive vehicle will primarily be used to transport volunteers themselves to and from jobs.
Ms Aitchison said recent events have demonstrated just how important local volunteers are.
"The St John's Ambulance so an amazing amount of work in our community. During the floods they were based on Gillieston Island and that was over many days; they were actually sleeping on the island. They just do great work helping our other health and emergency services in times of emergency," she said.
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| Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison and Jim Klumpp from St Johns Ambulance. |
