St John Wānaka has a new child-sized training mannequin thanks to a fundraiser organised by the Wānaka Upper Clutha Lions Club.

Lions’ first vice president Sue Grant and project director Gaye Harris arranged a raffle fundraiser with the lucky winner receiving a wine-matched dinner for eight cooked by Judith Cullen.

It was so successful the money raised went even further than anticipated, St John Wānaka chair Dell Taylor said.

“Our amazing local community’s support for this venture meant that all available tickets were sold, which allowed not only the purchase of Carlitos the mannequin but also the replacement of the aged and failing oven and microwave in the St John staff and volunteers’ kitchen in the ambulance station,” Dell said. 

She said St John Wānaka was “really appreciative” of the efforts of the Wānaka Upper Clutha Lions Club and others who contributed.

Celebrity chef Judith donated her time and services to cook for the raffle draw winner, Kaye Brake, and Maude Wines donated the wine for the evening. 

St John Wānaka was officially presented with the mannequin, a top of the line Resusci Junior QCPR, at a recent ceremony at the Wānaka Ambulance Station on Link Way. 

The new ‘Carlitos’ will be “little brother to Carlos the adult mannequin,” Dell said.

He will “help enormously with ongoing training of all staff”.

St John is a charitable organisation which relies on donations. 

Dell said the partially-funded organisation works with paid paramedics to keep its service ready and available “round the clock”. 

She said St John Wānaka is currently looking for new members and anyone interested should get in touch.