First aid for the love struck

St John Queenstown ambulance officer Alex Taylor prepares his latest delivery of  Valentine's Day...
St John Queenstown ambulance officer Alex Taylor prepares his latest delivery of Valentine's Day bouquets and gifts from In the Pink to loved ones around the Wakatipu on Friday. Photo by James Beech.

St John joined forces with St Valentine around the Wakatipu on Friday, with a little help from their friends at ASB Bank, to surprise scores of loved ones at their homes and workplaces with flowers and gifts.

More than $400 was raised to help pay the operating costs of St John Queenstown.

The total came from the usual $10 delivery fee being given to the Frankton-based emergency service by Queenstown florist In the Pink if the customer ordered the Valentine's Day gift to be delivered by ambulance.

Two St John ambulances and a health shuttle, with officers and bank staff on board, were deployed due to the demand and the wide spread of recipients.

However, the organisation maintained its front-line service so it could respond to emergencies at all times.

Ambulance officer Alex Taylor was one of the volunteers brightening people's day with romance.

Deliveries sent to him around the central business district to places including Queenstown Resort College and out to Gorge Rd, Remarkables Park Town Centre and Glenda Dr.

''One woman thought she wasn't going to get anything, then I gave her the bouquet ordered for her and she whooped with delight,'' he said.

Mr Taylor was preparing to head to Lake Hayes Estate and Millbrook Resort with an ambulance bulging with Valentine's goodies when the Queenstown Times caught up with him.

''This is my fourth year doing it and I enjoy it every year,'' he said.

''It's nice to visit people who are not ill and are smiling and happy with the surprise.''

 

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement