Helena (Lena) Girdler was a strong supporter of St John for much of her life, and when she died on January 22, aged 97, she gave the order one last gift, a bequest that has now funded the purchase of a brand new ambulance.
The Mercedes Sprinter, which was the last ambulance produced in Hamilton for 2018, arrived in Kaitaia a little over a week ago, replacing an older vehicle that has been returned to the national ambulance pool. All going well, it will serve the Kaitaia district for eight years.
Long-time friend Barbara Schrafft said Helena Gladys Leahy was born in Plymouth, England, on September 9, 1920. Both her father and grandfather served with the Royal Navy.