St John is calling for volunteer drivers to sustain the charitable organisation's new community health shuttle service for Queenstown Lakes residents.
So far, only five people have indicated they would like to become volunteer drivers.
However, at least 15 to 20 more are needed.
St John health shuttle drivers are fully trained and asked to drive from Queenstown to Invercargill and return once a fortnight. Two volunteer drivers share the driving.
The health shuttle will travel to Invercargill five days a week, Monday to Friday, when there are bookings.
St John announced last month it was establishing the service in the Lakes district to provide increased access for residents to health-related appointments, mainly in Invercargill.
St John and Four Square Supermarkets formed a partnership to support the development of health shuttle services in rural locations in the South Island, including Central Otago, North Canterbury and Ashburton.
St John community care manager Pam Hall said the services were proving very popular and were well supported by their communities.
Ms Hall expected the Queenstown service to mirror the success experienced in other areas.
"Some people have particular challenges getting to and from an appointment, due to age or health-related issues, or a lack of affordable transport. St John Health Shuttles are a way of assisting these people to travel to these appointments."
The sponsorship from Four Square will provide for the purchase of the shuttle vehicle and the set-up costs for the service. It is important to note, however, that St John is a charity, so people are encouraged to make a donation where possible, to cover the running costs of the Health Shuttle.
People interested in becoming volunteer drivers are asked to contact Jessica Patch on (03) 441-4555, ext 1, or email jessica.patch@stjohn.org.nz.
