What: Handover of new stretchers by Greater Building Society to Armidale St John Ambulance
When: Monday December 12 at 10.30 am
Where: Greater Building Society Armidale branch, 101 Faulkner Street

Local St John Ambulance crews will be better equipped to care for people attending community events thanks to a donation of stretchers by the Greater Building Society.
Greater Building Society’s newly appointed Armidale branch manager Karen Tracey will hand over the two new stretchers and accessories to St John Ambulance Australia (NSW) Armidale Division’s officer-in-charge Peter Cameron at 10.30am on Monday, December 12.

The stretchers and accessories are worth $1,500. The accessories include stands for the stretcher to allow officers a good working height as well as a device to enable patients to sit up on the stretcher if required.

This is the first time that that Greater Building Society has supported the Armidale Division of St John.

Mr Cameron said the donation is greatly appreciated as St John is a not for profit organisation. He said the organisation only receives some government funding for specific projects by applying for grants.

“This donation will benefit patients that we care for at local community events,” Mr Cameron said.

Ms Tracey said the Greater always tried to give back to the communities in which it operates. She said the Greater also supports the Northern Inland Academy of Sport and this year provided $50,000 toward the construction of Armidale’s new disability accommodation centre, Walker House. It has also established a multi-million dollar Greater Charitable Foundation to fund project by charities that will make a difference to the lives of families and communities in regional NSW.

“We hope this is one donation that people won’t use but it is good to know the stretchers are there to help the outstanding men and women of our local St John Ambulance division to look after people in our community,” Ms Tracey said.

The Greater Building Society offers a complete range of financial services to 250,000 members across NSW, South east Queensland and in Townsville. It has four branches in the New England including Armidale, Tamworth, Guyra and Gunnedah. The Greater was named Australia’s Best Savings Provider, Best Home Loan Provider and Best Building Society in the 2011 Mozo People’s Choice Awards. It was also named Building Society of the Year in the 2011 Australian Banking and Finance Awards.

Media information: Peter Cameron on 0400 062 605 or Karen Tracey on 6772 5522.