Appeal raises thousands

ASB Queenstown customer services officers Clare Boanas (left) and Kaylyn McBrearty (right) teamed up with St John Wakatipu Health Shuttle driver Claudia Faichney to collect much-needed cash from Coronet Peak visitors for St John at the start of the emergency service's nationwide appeal week last month.

More than $5000 was raised - from slope and street collections, a boat race and a percentage from Noel Leeming sales - towards the operating costs of the health shuttle, St John Queenstown area executive officer Jessica Patch said.

The charitable organisation was ''really pleased'' the Central Lakes Trust announced it approved a $45,000 grant towards a new ambulance for Glenorchy, Miss Patch said.

Efforts to provide a customised and fully medically equipped Toyota Land Cruiser to the township at the top of the lake have been under way for more than two years.