SUCCESSFUL APPEAL

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1940, Page 6

SUCCESSFUL APPEAL

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE A new record was established for the organisation when £262 was collected by the St. John Ambulance Association in its street day appeal at' New Plymouth yesterday. One pound notes were not uncommon when the boxes were opened. In addition there were some five pound notes. The appeal has met with the response that this popular service organisation deserves," said Mr. R. A. Wall, chairman of the Taranaki centre of the St. John's Ambulance Association last night. "The results were contrary to the popular idea of superstitious people that Friday the 13 would be an unlucky day as the appeal had proved exceptional. The collectors met with a marvellous response, and a new record of £262 was achieved," he said. The weather was most favourable, and a combination of brilliant sunshine and the energetic collectors and stall holders in no small degree aspisted in a most successful day. Donors of money and goods were most generous and many large sums were given by individual members of the community, it not being uncommon to find £1 and even £5 notes in some of the boxes. This most satisfactory appeal would undoubtedly provide an impetus to greater effort on the part of the individual members of the organisation in their service to the community, as a lot of importance was attached to the effort of the own and the response of the general public. One collector was dcserving of special mention having collected no less than a little over £21 during the day, and the stalls were responsible for well over £20. Thanks were also due to the Happiness Club who rallied around the Association and were responsible for much of the marvellous effort. The untiring work of Mr. L. Cave, the organising secretary, was also deserving of special mention. Altogether there was a marvellous response which the Association ' greatly appreciated, and he wished to sincerely thank the public on behalf of the Association, concluded Mr. Wall. A house to house collection was held yesterday by the Association in conjunction with the main street day appeal, and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. last night the men's division undertook the collecting in Devon Street. Two stalls controlled by committees of the Happiness Club were also run, one in the Gas Co's shop and the other in McGru'vs. Here, the sale of flowers, produce, sweets and fruit, etc., met a brisk sale. In various shop windows fronting Devon Street there were depicted some extremely realistic "stretcher cases," with the ever-ready St. John member rendering first-aid, the whole being placarded, "Next time it might be you- help us to heip you."