St John staff and volunteers and their ASB supporters are hitting the streets and slopes of Queenstown as part of the service's national appeal week. Funds raised will go towards the St John Wakatipu health shuttle.
St John hopes to raise at least $4000 through collections at Coronet Peak and outside Wakatipu New World and by working with Noel Leeming.
A fundraising boat race has been organised on Queenstown Bay on Friday at 3pm.
Real Journeys has allowed the use of the lifeboats from TSS Earnslaw while the ship is being surveyed.
Teams of four, including a minimum of two women, have been entered by St John, ASB, Real Journeys and the Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Each team paid $250 towards the appeal, apart from St John and the brigade, which ASB paid for.
The competition involves two heats with teams drawn out to row against each other, then a final ''row-off'' to determine the winning team. Races will start at the beach with each team rowing around a water marker each and then back to the beach. Prizegiving will take place at the end and collectors will out in force with their buckets.
Master of ceremonies will be Brendan Quill on the beach, and harbourmaster Marty Black will ensure safety on the water.
The boat race is set to take place after the Queenstown Winter Festival dodgeball championship at Earnslaw Park at noon.
