A special dedication ceremony was held at the St John Cambridge ambulance station earlier this month for Ambulance 641, which has been gifted to the Manukau station by the estate of Sidney Wilkinson.
Lynn and Dave Wilkson with St John Commander of the Order, Brent Nielson.
Sidney Wilkinson moved to New Zealand from the United Kingdom in the 1950s. He served in the navy and later worked as a nurse, which sparked his deep connection to the mission of Hato Hone St John.
Without children of his own, Sidney had one nephew, Dave Wilkinson, who, along with his wife Lynn, became a close part of his life. Sidney lived in Ōtāhuhu for many years before moving to the Bupa retirement village in Hamilton to be closer to Dave and Lynn in Tauranga. His generous decision to fund an ambulance before his passing reflects his lifelong commitment to serving others.
Ambulance 641 in Cambridge for its dedication.
Dave and Lynn travelled from Tauranga with friends to be part of the dedication ceremony and the event brought together members of the Hato Hone St John community, including Rev Michele Willis, Chaplain of St John and kaumātua Harry Wilson, who together blessed the ambulance.
Among the distinguished attendees were Hato Hone St John Commander of the Order, Brent Nielson, and Order of St John Knight, Gary Salmon, both of whom acknowledged the significance of this occasion. Nielson formally accepted the keys to the ambulance as part of the gifting ceremony, expressing gratitude for the enduring generosity of the Wilkinson family.
Rob Chisholm, Hato Hone St John Group Operations manager, spoke about the importance of Ambulance 641 to the Manukau area. He emphasised how the vehicle would bring comfort, hope, and professional care to the community, while also highlighting the remarkable lifetime of an ambulance: it will travel approximately 500,000 kms and respond to around 25,000 jobs, making a profound impact on those who rely on the ambulance service.
This dedication serves as a powerful reminder of how legacy contributions from generous donors like Sidney Wilkinson can make a tangible difference, supporting Hato Hone St John in its mission to save lives and provide vital care to communities.
From left Lynn and Dave Wilkinson, Michelle Willis. Brent Nielson and Rob Chisholm.
