St John receives $10,000 donation

St John Wakatipu area committee chairman Marty Black (left) with Queenstown Lions Club president Merv Aoake on Wednesday night. The Lions Club gave St John Wakatipu $10,000 towards repairs at its Frankton rooms. Photo by Derek Burchell-Burger.

The money, presented to Mr Black by Lions Club president Merv Aoake, would go towards building repairs at the St John rooms in Frankton.

"I was a bit overwhelmed with the size of it [the donation] - $10,000 is fairly serious dollars.

"We're completely overwhelmed and very appreciative.

"A couple of people knew we were always looking for money . . . we feel very lucky," Mr Black said.

The work at the St John rooms was estimated to cost between $80,000 and $100,000 and included repairing damage that may have been caused by an earthquake.

"It's not falling down around our ears or anything; we're just doing some building repairs and bits and pieces."

Mr Black said it was often hard to find the money to do the work required.

"We're there to support the running of the ambulance . . . we've seen some very busy months this year."

Mr Black said St John also had the support of local contractors, with work due to start on the building in February.