Lions fund batteries for LandSAR

Richard Kennett (left), of Wakatipu LandSAR,  Queenstown Lions Club member Dan Turnbull (centre)...
Richard Kennett (left), of Wakatipu LandSAR, Queenstown Lions Club member Dan Turnbull (centre) and LandSAR group support officer Mike Ambrose, of Hawea, with some of the new lithium-ion batteries bought for the group by Queenstown Lions. Photo by...

Richard Kennett (left), of Wakatipu LandSAR,  Queenstown Lions Club member Dan Turnbull (centre)...
Richard Kennett (left), of Wakatipu LandSAR, Queenstown Lions Club member Dan Turnbull (centre) and LandSAR group support officer Mike Ambrose, of Hawea, with some of the new lithium-ion batteries bought for the group by Queenstown Lions. Photo by Tracey Roxburgh.
Wakatipu LandSAR has been able to buy six lithium-ion batteries for use in hand-held radios after a request for assistance from the Queenstown Lions was accepted.

The batteries, which cost just under $1000, replaced those with a shorter lifespan and ''memory''.

LandSAR group support officer Mike Ambrose, of Hawea, said if the previous batteries were not fully charged before being taken off the charger, they would only recharge to that point in future.

The new batteries did not have that issue and also had a longer lifespan, meaning they could be relied on during long searches.

Wakatipu LandSAR support officer Robyn Lee said the group constantly needed to upgrade, update or replace equipment to ensure searchers had the necessary tools to be able to locate people in need of assistance.

The organisation relied heavily on grants from funding organisations and donations and it was grateful for the contribution from the Lions, she said.

Queenstown Lions Club member Dan Turnbull said money was raised at different events in the community year-round, including barbecues, car parking and donation boxes.

Anyone could apply to the Lions for funding assistance and if money was available and the funding criteria were met, ''we're happy to help out''.

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