A group of avid Mt Iron walkers has clubbed together with St John and Craig Read Building to put an AED (defibrillator) at the top of Mt Iron, with the blessing of the Department of Conservation and Queenstown Lakes District Council. 

“We figured this was the most likely place for it, as, in an emergency, it is really only accessible by helicopter… it will take ground crews too long to get up there,” Wānaka St John chairperson Dell Taylor said. 

The group of walkers, coordinated by Rachel Farrant and Hailey Hall and their families, together raised the money to fund the AED. 

Dan Marshall, who works for Craig Read Building, built the cover to protect it from the elements. 

Pictured at the installation of the defibrillator near the summit of Mt Iron (from left): Wānaka St John chairperson Dell Taylor, Dan Marshall of Craig Read Builders, and donor organisers Rachel Farrant and Hailey Hall. PHOTO: Supplied

Dell thanked all the families who donated, as well as Craig Read Building and Dan Marshall.

“This is a great community initiative, and is a really useful community asset,” Dell said.

To mark the event, and help the community, St John will run three free one and a half hour ‘3 Steps for Life’ training programmes on what to do in an emergency, including use of AEDs and CPR. 

The free programmes will run next month (August 15- 17) from 7pm at the St John rooms at 4 Link Way. If you would like to attend contact Dell Taylor (021 111 5940).

Dell also put in a pitch for locals to vote for St John in the Solar Zero Competition.

Read more: One Upper Clutha community group to receive 20 years of free solar energy

“St John could really use the prize to help the community in case of a major disaster... in the event of say the AF8, the ambo station will be a community hub, and having the solar system will make the station much more able to function in the event of power cuts,” she said. 

“We need your support to vote for us, please.”

Go to here to vote.